Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt. — VNA/VNS Photo

VIENTIANE — Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Đỗ Hùng Việt, who is also head of the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) delegation of Việt Nam, attended the SOM in Laos on July 23 to review and complete preparations for the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-57) and related meetings.

At the event, SOM leaders extended their deep condolences to the Vietnamese Government and people over the passing of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Nguyễn Phú Trọng on July 19.

Việt thanked the diplomats for their sharing and sympathies with Việt Nam in this moment of grief.

Participants spoke highly of the meticulous and comprehensive preparations for the AMM-57 and related meetings by Laos, which holds the ASEAN Chairmanship this year. They affirmed support for and close coordination with the host country to contribute to the success of the meetings in the spirit of solidarity and cooperation.

The same day, Việt and other SOM officials attended a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ EXCOM), discussing the implementation of the plan of action of the SEANWFZ Treaty for the 2023-27 period as well as measures to improve cooperation efficiency in the coming time.

Themed “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience”, the foreign ministers of ASEAN countries and partners are set to discuss the implementation of the bloc’s priorities in 2024, the ASEAN Community building progress, and orientation for cooperation between ASEAN and partners.

Besides, they will exchange views on the regional and international situation, and adopt important documents serving as a foundation for cooperation within ASEAN and between the bloc with its partners in the coming time.

The AMM-57 and related meetings will take place in Vientiane from July 24 to 27 with about 20 activities within the frameworks of ASEAN, ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises 10 member countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Việt Nam. — VNS