Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc expressed his hope the National ASEAN 2020 Committee would help Việt Nam successfully take up the role as chair of ASEAN in the next two years.— VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc expressed his hope the National ASEAN 2020 Committee would help Việt Nam successfully take up the role as chair of ASEAN in the next two years.

To achieve this, the PM outlined goals needed to achieve the position, which are ensuring safety, security and protocol; and the successful promotion of the nation’s cultural identity.

He was speaking yesterday at the launch ceremony of the National Committee tasked with preparing Việt Nam for the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.

“2020 will mark 25 years of Việt Nam’s membership,” he said.

“We are proud to say that as an active, responsible member, Việt Nam has contributed to ASEAN’s achievements. Việt Nam always regards ASEAN a partner of priority and a “key stone” in the country’s multilateral diplomacy policies.”

Việt Nam’s ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship takeover, which marks mid-term assessment of the implementation of ASEAN Master Plan on Connectivity 2025, is the largest multi-lateral diplomacy event of the year. It carries an important meaning, is a responsibility and also an opportunity for the country to promote its role and position in the regional and global arenas, he said.

A series of national events will also take place to mark the anniversary. The combination of domestic and international events will create an impetus for Việt Nam to bring into full play its potentials and advantages, he said.

“Việt Nam always attaches importance, looks forward to and is willing to make our utmost efforts for the success of ASEAN 2020 Chairmanship,” he said.

Ministries, sectors, localities and citizens must be aware of ASEAN collaborations as well as benefits, major opportunities brought by ASEAN, Phúc said.

They should be proud and act in the spirit of ASEAN businesses and ASEAN citizens so ASEAN vitality will be spread and encourage the bloc’s creativity and co-operation.

“Việt Nam is willing to play the role and make more practical contributions to the progress of self-reliant and innovative ASEAN Community towards a harmonious, closely-knit, highly-adaptable, prosperous bloc with high responsibilities of addressing global issues,” he said.

After the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh, who is also the committee’s president, chaired the first meeting.

The committee’s members agreed on co-operative mechanisms and scheduled working plans with nine regular meetings between now and December 2020.

The National ASEAN 2020 Committee, including 29 members, are assigned to help the PM direct, supervise, co-ordinate, and guide the ministries, offices and localities to work in the fields related to the preparations for and implementation of the role.

The committee is made up of five subcommittees in charge of the contents, protocol issues, communications and culture, materials and logistics, and security and health care, along with the National ASEAN 2020 Secretariat. — VNS