At the international seminar on achievements, difficulties and challenges facing ASEAN’s integration (Photo: VNA) They made the comment at an international seminar on achievements,difficulties and challenges facing the bloc’s integration held Moscow on May 25 and 26. The event, co-organised by two academies and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, gathered representativesof ASEAN embassies and 40 Russian and international experts.
The hybrid event saw 30 presentations in five workingsessions, whose topics revolved around ASEAN’s external relations policy, relationswith strategic partners, experience in regional integration, and sustainabledevelopment. Participants analysed ASEAN’s roles and stances on buildinga regional security structure; and development orientations in digitisation,climate change, and migration, among others.
Grigory Trofimchuk, Chairman of the Council of Experts ofthe Eurasian Research Fund, affirmed the rising role and importance in thepolitical and economic spheres of the bloc in the world, especially for Russia inthe current global context.
Regarding the role of Vietnam in ASEAN, Valeria Vershininafrom the Moscow State University of International Relations (MGIMO) said with alarge number of regional and international trade and economic agreementssigned, the country plays an important role in the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
Within the ASEAN framework, Vietnam's leadership isdemonstrated via initiatives to narrow the development gap between the old andnew members of the association and promote the continuous adaptation of “newcomers”to existing activities in the bloc, Vershinina added.
The expert spoke highly of Vietnam's efforts in mobilisingcountries in the region to sign the Treaty of Southeast Asia NuclearWeapon-Free Zone as well as in promoting an agenda seeking solutions for disputesin the East Sea and the start of negotiations on a related Code of Conduct ofParties (COC)./.
VNA
