The FM said on the sidelines of ASEAN meetings in Hanoi that Indonesia willtake over ASEAN Chairmanship from Vietnam next year and therefore, he had a conservation with Vietnam’s DeputyPrime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem to share thisexperience.
He also emphasised Vietnam ’s positive contribution toASEAN over the last 15 years since the country officially became thegroup’s member on July 28, 1995.
“Vietnam shouldbe very proud that within its 15-year membership of ASEAN, it not onlybecomes an active participant in the group but exactly becomes a keyleader at ASEAN’s events and role,” he said
The 43rd ASEANMinisterial Meeting (AMM-43) and related meetings in Hanoi havere-enforced Vietnam’s key role in ASEAN, he added.
TheIndonesian FM also highly valued Vietnam’s initiatives at themeetings, including the country’s proposal to introduce an ASEAN policyon assisting people in accident at sea.
This helps bring benefit for the ASEAN community, he said./.