Politics

US senators congratulate Vietnam on assuming ASEAN Chairmanship

Some US senators on January 15 congratulated Vietnam on assuming the Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an important multilateral organisation for advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.
US senators congratulate Vietnam on assuming ASEAN Chairmanship ảnh 1Delegates to the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials' Meeting Plus Working Group pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)

Washington DC (VNA) – Some US senators on January 15 congratulated Vietnam on assuming the Chairmanship ofthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an important multilateralorganisation for advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The senators comprise Jim Risch and Cory Gardner from theRepublican Party, Bob Menendez from the Democratic Party, who is also Chairmanand a ranking member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, and Ed Markey, also from the Democratic Party, Chairmanand a ranking member of the Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, andInternational Cybersecurity Policy.

In a press statement issued on the day, they alsothanked Thailand for its effective stewardship in 2019.

“We look forward to a fruitful year ofcollaboration that leads to concrete progress on the most critical issues forASEAN members and the entire Indo-Pacific region. The time is ripe to realisethe ASEAN Economic Community, build capacity in the industries of the future,and posture ASEAN as a driver of regional economic growth. ASEAN members,including Vietnam, have demonstrated a willingness to stand up for freedom ofnavigation and international law in the East Sea,” they said.

They expressed hope that Vietnam will exercisethis type of leadership and cooperating with its ASEAN partners on these issuesin the coming year, especially as ASEAN and China negotiate a Code of Conductin the East Sea (COC).

ASEAN is an important partner to the US, thesenators said, stressing their commitments to deepening this relationship,starting with the US-ASEAN Special Summit.

The senators said they look forward tosupporting the many promising US-ASEAN initiatives underway, including thoseauthorised by the Asia Reassurance Initiative Act./.
VNA
#ASEAN 2020 #US senators #Association of Southeast Asian Nations #Indo-Pacific #ASEAN Economic Community #ASEAN members #US-ASEAN Special Summit #Vietnam #VietnamPlus Viet Nam News ASEAN
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

ASEAN Chairmanship: For a cohesive and responsive ASEAN

ASEAN Chairmanship: For a cohesive and responsive ASEAN

Advancing ASEAN’s contribution to maintaining regional peace, security and stability has been identified as one of five key priorities for Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2020, wrote Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh in an article. Below is a translation of the article.

See more

President of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (right) meets with Vilay Lakhamphong, Politburo Member and Standing Member of the Secretariat of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, in Hanoi on October 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s top legislator welcomes Standing Member of LPRP Secretariat

NA President Tran Thanh Man proposed maintaining regular exchanges between the two legislative bodies, as well as among their committees, specialised agencies, and parliamentarians, particularly regarding issues emerging during the implementation of each Party’s congress resolutions.

An overview of the working session (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi's National Assembly deputies urged to fulfill commitments to voters

In the third quarter of 2026, Hanoi recorded a strong breakthrough, with growth of 10.02%, exceeding the national rate of 9.95%. This marked the first time the city had achieved double-digit growth this year and its highest quarterly growth rate. Its GRDP growth in the first nine months was estimated at 8.85%, up from 7.92% in the same period of 2025.

Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass speaks to the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)

Swiss President Guy Parmelin’s Vietnam visit to advance bilateral ties

The visit is expected to further consolidate the bilateral relationship and advance cooperation in key areas, particularly trade and investment, science and technology, innovation, finance and sustainable development. The two sides will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Days in France scheduled for October 24–30

Vietnam Days in France 2026 aim to showcase Vietnam’s distinctive culture, country and people to French and international audiences as well as the Vietnamese community in France, promoting an image of an identity-rich, dynamic, creative and internationally integrated Vietnam.

Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam elevates ties with Denmark, EU and Belgium: Spokeswoman

Vietnam and the EU officially upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during President of the European Council António Costa’s visit to Vietnam in January 2026. Vietnam is the EU’s first comprehensive strategic partner in Southeast Asia and the only ASEAN member with all cooperation pillars in place with the bloc.

President of the Swiss Federation Guy Parmelin speaks at a press conference. (Photo: ANI/VNA)

Swiss President to pay official visit to Vietnam

President of the Swiss Federation Guy Parmelin and his spouse will pay an official visit to Vietnam from October 17-18, at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam and his spouse.

Zhang Jianguo, former Director-General of the Western Europe Department under the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, and Secretary-General of China’s Charhar Institute (Photo: VNA)

Legislative cooperation strengthens legal foundation for Vietnam-China ties: Expert

According to Zhang Jianguo, former Director-General of the Western Europe Department under the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the visit builds on the strategic momentum established at the meeting between the top leaders of the two Parties and countries in April 2026, while serving as an important activity for the two nations’ legislative bodies to advance the building of a Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the conference to launch the 2026–2035 national target programme on cultural and social development, rural development, and development in ethnic minority and mountainous areas. (Photo: VNA)

PM urges swift implementation of national target programme, ensuring people are not kept waiting

Under the guiding principle of “coordinated policies – unified action”, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung stressed that people must be placed at the centre of the programme rather than treated merely as passive recipients of assistance. Integration must deliver substantive improvements, reduce fragmentation and duplication, and ensure that policies and tasks continue uninterrupted during the transition.

A memorial service and burial ceremony for the remains of 93 martyrs who fell in the fight to defend the northern border, held at Vi Xuyen National Martyrs’ Cemetery in Tuyen Quang province on October 15 (Photo: VNA)

Memorial service held for 93 fallen soldiers in Tuyen Quang province

More than 4,000 officers and soldiers laid down their lives on the northern border, particularly at the Vi Xuyen–Ha Tuyen front in Tuyen Quang province. In the latest search and recovery operation, competent forces found 93 sets of remains of fallen soldiers in Thanh Thuy and Minh Tan communes and Binh Thuan ward, including 18 found individually and 75 in six mass graves.