Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc arrives in Manila, the Philippines on Sunday to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 12-14.— VNA/VNS Photo

MANILLA — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc arrived in Manila, the Philippines on Sunday to attend the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings from November 12-14 which are set to focus on orientations and measures for enhancing connectivity to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

Along with the 31st ASEAN Summit, the PM and the Vietnamese delegation are scheduled to participate in the 20th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea), the ASEAN meetings with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the US, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations.

The PM will also attend the East Asia Summit, which includes ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States.

These are the most important events of the year for ASEAN, with the participation of leaders from the 10 ASEAN member nations and the bloc’s partners, which are major countries and important regional and international organisations.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader will join the ninth Mekong-Japan Summit and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders’ Meeting.

The 31st ASEAN Summit is the most important event of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations that groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Việt Nam.

As many as 55 documents are expected to be signed and adopted at the meetings. The Philippines will also issue nine declarations of the Chair of the Summits.

While a number of countries and organisations want to establish relations with ASEAN, many non-ASEAN nations have expressed their interest in joining the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia.

These partners have also tightened multifaceted cooperation with ASEAN, assisted it to build a Community and supported the bloc’s central role.

The Vietnamese delegation’s participation in ASEAN-31 and related meetings is meant to help enhance ASEAN’s solidarity, bring into play the association’s central role, strengthen ASEAN’s ties with partners, and create a favourable environment for sustainable development in each country and the whole region.

The delegation also hopes to promote Việt Nam’s image as a country with active and responsible engagement in regional cooperation. — VNS