Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleusay Kommasith (Photo: VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs SaleusayKommasith has spoken highly of the leadership role of Vietnam in its capacityas Chair of ASEAN 2020, as well as the country’s contributions to enhancing thebloc’s role on the regional and international forums.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent in Vientianeon November 15, the Lao diplomat said despite formidable challenges caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam successfully organised the 37th ASEANSummit and Related Summits, as well as completed all of the set targets in therole of the ASEAN Chair.
A record number of 80 documents were approved and announced at the summits,which is a vivid illustration for Vietnam’s organisation ability, he said.
The minister described the signing of the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP) Agreement as one of the ultimate outcomes of the summits, inwhich Vietnam made huge contributions to the organisation, consultation andcoordination with other signatories.
In the context that the coronavirus pandemic has spread so quickly across theglobe, ASEAN has done a good job in disease prevention and control thanks tothe leadership of Vietnam, he said, highlighting ASEAN’s initiatives such as theestablishment of the ASEAN COVID-19 response fund, the ASEAN regional reserveof medical supplies, and the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergences andEmerging Diseases.
The diplomat also hailed Vietnam’s role as anon-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), sayingVietnam proposed a wide range of ASEAN issues at the UN and UNSC’s discussions,which helps the international community has better understanding of the bloc’srole.
Saleusay took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people fortheir grant of 1,000 tonnes of rice as relief aid to flood-hit people inSavannakhet province although though they are suffering great losses fromnatural disasters. The move is an illustration for the true friendship betweenVietnam and Laos, he stressed./.
VNA
