Heads of delegations to 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (Photo: ASEAN) The Vietnamese representative gave comments on issues relatedto intra-ASEAN economic cooperation such as preparations for the signing of thesecond Protocol amending the agreement on the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FreeTrade Area (AANZFTA), negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in GoodsAgreement (ATIGA), and preparations for the launch of negotiations on the ASEANDigital Economy Framework, thereby demonstrating Vietnam's strong commitment toregional economic integration and helping maintain its active role inactivities that create a driving force for regional and global economic growth, promotepost-COVID-19 economic recovery, and strengthen regional supply chains.
At the meeting, participating ministers shared informationand updated the implementation of Indonesia's prioritised economic cooperationinitiatives in its ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2023, and important tasks ofthe ASEAN Economic Community such as the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality,preparations to launch negotiations on the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework,implementation and upgrade of the ATIGA as well as preparations for consultationsbetween economic ministers of ASEAN member states and their partners.
They also exchanged views on recommendations by theHigh-Level Task Force on ASEAN Economic Integration related to the building ofthe post-2025 ASEAN Economic Community vision, and reviewed preparations forthe upcoming ASEAN Summit and related summits.
In addition, the ministers also discussed economiccooperation activities between ASEAN and dialogue partners such as the US,China, the European Union, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand,India, Russia, Canada, and the UK, along with the implementation of free tradeagreements (FTAs) between ASEAN and partner countries, including the upgrade ofthe ASEAN-China FTA, negotiations on an FTA between ASEAN and Canada, and theimplementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
On the sidelines of the meeting, the ministers discussed with the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ABAC) about the council’s recommendationsand priorities related to promoting the use of electric vehicles in the region,strengthening regional trade and investment integration, facilitating collaborationactivities on sustainable development, and maintaining health measures torespond to epidemics.
As planned, this meeting will be followed by a series ofEconomic Ministerial Consultations between ASEAN and its dialogue partners scheduled for August 20-22./.
VNA
