The National Committee for ASEAN 2010 held its eighth session in Hanoi on Oct. 21 to review Vietnam ’s ASEAN presidency and prepare for the 17th ASEAN Summit and related summits that will take place in Hanoi from Oct. 28-30.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attended the session, which took place under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, who is also Chairman of the National Committee for ASEAN 2010.

Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung, who is permanent Secretary General of the National Committee for ASEAN 2010, said that since the committee’s previous session on Aug. 30, Vietnam continued to uphold the role of ASEAN Chair, successfully hosting and chairing many important events and activities.

They included the unofficial ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 2 nd ASEAN-US leaders’ meeting, the meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers with UN General Secretary and the President of the 65 th UN General Assembly, the 1 st ASEAN security chiefs’ meeting, the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ meeting and the 1 st ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+), the 31 st AIPA General Assembly and the 6 th ASEAN People’s Forum.

At the Oct. 21 session, Sub-committees and units of the National Committee for ASEAN 2010 reported on preparations for the 17 th ASEAN Summit and related summits, which were nearly completed.

Addressing the session, PM Dung said that with its pro-activity and responsibility, Vietnam implemented well-planned targets and programmes and recommended positive and practical initiatives, which markedly contributed to ASEAN development, boosting the construction of the ASEAN Community, expanding cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, and raising the ASEAN’s role and position.

PM Dung praised the efforts of the National Committee for ASEAN 2010 and relevant ministries and agencies for their contributions to the many successes.

The Prime Minister stressed that the 17 th ASEAN Summit and related summits would be particularly important events of the ASEAN 2010 Year. He asked the committee and related ministries and agencies to try their best to make the events successful, making a fine impression about Vietnam and raising the country’s role and position in the region and the world./.