Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Defence’s steering committee on ASEAN 2020 helda conference in Hanoi on July 17 to implement a project on organising ASEANdefence-military events in 2020 when Vietnam assumes the ASEAN Chair.
Accordingto a report from the ministry’s Foreign Relations Department, the project wasapproved in April 2018, with leaders of the ministry passing decisions on theestablishment of the steering committee and its subcommittees, a plan for theimplementation of the project, and a list of relevant activities.
Sincethe beginning of 2019, content consultations for Vietnam’s 2020 ASEANchairmanship have been underway across different levels via dialogue and visitexchanges between leaders of countries involved and on the sidelines ofmultilateral events.
Thesteering committee has coordinated with relevant agencies of the Defence Ministry and others to carry out preparations in terms of content, communications,as well as training of reception and language skills.
Speakingat the conference, Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of Defenceand deputy head of the steering committee, praised efforts to make earlypreparations for the ASEAN Year 2020.
Highlightingthe political importance of successfully undertaking the chairmanship, hestressed the role of the Vietnam People’s Army in global integration andcontribution to the overall success of the country in 2020.
Vinhrecommended agencies under the ministry pay attention to and make suitableinvestment in preparing for the year, particularly in human resources,planning, and facilities.
Hesuggested the ministry’s topics for 2020 should be based on main features ofthe country’s ASEAN year theme.
Heurged relevant agencies to coordinate in communications and training work. Theofficial also assigned the Foreign Relations Department to monitor theoperation of the subcommittees and other units and to work closely with theForeign Ministry in all aspects.-VNA
