Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc received ASEAN Secretary-General Lê Lương Minh and President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) Hidetoshi Nishimura yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc received ASEAN Secretary-General Lê Lương Minh and President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) Hidetoshi Nishimura yesterday.

The ASEAN officials are in Hà Nội to discuss measures to boost intra-bloc links.

The Prime Minister hailed the contributions of the ASEAN Secretariat, especially those made by ASEAN Secretary-General Minh.

Among the initiatives and cooperative programmes of the bloc, Việt Nam was particularly interested in implementing the Initiative for ASEAN Integration Work Plan III and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, he said.

The group must strongly promote its role and strengths, contributing to building a better world, he said, affirming that Việt Nam would continue to be a responsible member in realising ASEAN’s common goals, as well as in solving challenges in the development process of the group.

ASEAN and Việt Nam should work closely to seek ways to lift the trade turnover between the two sides, he said.

The Prime Minister affirmed that with many free trade agreements being signed and some under negotiations, Việt Nam was willing to serve as a bridge for ASEAN, an important market in the region and the world.

He also underlined the importance of the intra-bloc connectivity and expressed hope that the connection among the ASEAN member nations would be maintained and enhanced to overcome the challenges based on the principle of consensus.

The Prime Minister hailed the contributions of the ERIA’s scientific research outcomes in promoting ASEAN’s development, in the context of regional and global integration.

Minh said 2017 was important for ASEAN and Việt Nam, as the 50th founding anniversary of ASEAN and completion of 22 years since Việt Nam officially joined the bloc would be celebrated.

He praised Việt Nam’s efforts in integrating globally, expanding markets, and promoting investment links and people-to-people exchanges.

Việt Nam has made active and crucial contributions towards building the ASEAN community, as well as in stepping up cooperation between ASEAN and big economies worldwide, he said.

Minh also pointed out the difficulties and challenges facing the bloc, noting that the talk themed ’ASEAN’s 50 years: ASEAN Economic Community and opportunities for Vietnamese business circle’ aimed to seek solutions.

Meanwhile, ERIA President Hidetoshi Nishimura pledged to continue supporting Việt Nam in the process of regional and international integration, and towards upholding Việt Nam’s role and position in the ASEAN community. — VNS