HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and the Vietnamese delegation late yesterday departed for Bangkok, Thailand to attend the  34th ASEAN Summit, which will take place on June 22-23, at the invitation of his Thai counterpart, Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Together with his spouse, PM Phúc will be accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh as well as Mai Tiến Dũng, Chairman of the Government Office.

His presence at the upcoming 34th ASEAN Summit will contribute to tightening ASEAN solidarity, promoting the central role of the bloc, expanding and deepening relations with its partners and facilitating the development of each member state.

His attendance is also expected to highlight Việt Nam’s reform efforts and participation in regional co-operation activities to protect the country’s legitimate interests.

Since Việt Nam joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995, the country has actively taken part in all ASEAN activities and co-ordinated closely with other member states to meet commitments related to trade, services and investment.

As a co-ordinator for ASEAN-EU economic co-operation, Việt Nam has contributed to fostering bilateral trade and economic ties. It has also served as the chair of negotiations on the Trade in Services Agreement within the framework of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) and the representative of ASEAN in negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Themed "Advancing Partnership for Sustainability," the Bangkok summit will include discussions on building the ASEAN Community, the relationship between ASEAN and its partners and regional and international issues.

ASEAN leaders will exchange views on how to step up economic connectivity, expand co-operation between the bloc and its partners and adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. They will also talk about responding to such challenges as climate change, terrorism and hi-tech crime, and consolidating the central role of ASEAN in the regional structure.

The summit is scheduled to approve several important documents to serve as foundation for continued co-operation such as the ASEAN Leaders' Vision Statement on "Partnership for Sustainability", the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Outlook, the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the Region and the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the ASEAN Cultural Year 2019.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Việt Nam. — VNS