Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will lead a delegation to the 23rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan from October 8-10 at the invitation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

The summit is taking place at a time when ASEAN is particularly determined to step up community building, connectivity and its focus on the people of the region.

Major topics to be discussed at the meetings include the post-2015 building and operation of the ASEAN Community.

Participants will also touch on the bloc’s cooperation with its partners within the framework of the ASEAN Plus One, ASEAN Plus Three and East Asian Summit (EAS), as well as discuss international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Vietnam has taken an active part in all ASEAN activities during 2013 as part of its policy of being “active, proactive and responsible” in its ASEAN cooperation and made important contributions to mapping the bloc’s development vision through its influence in significant decision making.

The country has promoted the group’s decisive role in regional cooperation and structuring, and fostered peace, security, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia. It has also facilitated ASEAN’s relations with the bloc’s partners.

Vietnam’s participation at the 23rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings, together with other fellow members, will strengthen the bloc’s solidarity and central role in a shaping regional architecture, contributing to building a strong and close-knit ASEAN.

The country’ role and position will be further elevated through its active participation in the regional meetings which will promote Vietnam’s bilateral ties with its partners.-VNA