Representatives of ASEAN member countries at the ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting (JCM) in Đà Nẵng yesterday. The meeting is a preparation for the ASEAN Summit to be held in the city on April 8-9. — VNS Photo Công Thành

ĐÀ NẴNG — ASEAN member countries highly appreciate Việt Nam’s initiatives and proposals in building a vision for ASEAN in 2025 and beyond, as well as preparations for the ASEAN Summit, at the ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting (JCM) on Friday.

Deputy minister of foreign affairs, Nguyễn Quốc Dũng spoke to Việt Nam News on sidelines of the meeting, stressing that Việt Nam has planned progressive steps and targets for all member countries in building the ASEAN community and vision in 2025 and beyond.

Dũng said as ASEAN chair, Việt Nam’s proposals and targets for ASEAN members could be reached by all.

“We offered possible initiatives, proposals and targets for promoting ASEAN community among member countries. Participants at the meeting also supported and appreciated the leading role of Việt Nam in the ASEAN chairmanship year,” Dũng said.

“Our ideas and theme for ASEAN earned support from member countries. The meeting today also focused on the assessment of implementation progress of the Master Plan for ASEAN development, and mid-term evaluation of the ASEAN Charter after 12 years,” he added.

Việt Nam is ready to host the ASEAN Summit on April 8-9, Dũng confirmed.

Junever Mahilum West, assistant secretary and director general of ASEAN-Philippines national secretariat, also praised the initiatives and theme offered by Việt Nam in the role of ASEAN Chair.

She agreed with the theme ‘Cohesive and Responsive’ for the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020 chosen by Việt Nam, and initiative of improving women’s role in building the ASEAN Community.

Thongphane Savanphet, deputy minister of Lao Foreign Affairs, said Việt Nam’s initiatives at the meeting helped in building the ASEAN community in 2025 and beyond.

He said Việt Nam’s priorities and proposals would help build a foundation for future development of ASEAN.

He added participants also discussed the Mekong Dialogue at senior officials’ meetings in the ASEAN Summit.

Ade Padmo Sarwono, from the Indonesian foreign affair ministry, said he pledged support for Việt Nam’s plans and tentative programmes for the ASEAN Summit.

He said Việt Nam’s priorities were valuable in building the ASEAN community with capability, stability, peace and consolidation.

Padmo Sarwono also said efforts and plans were made in time among ASEAN in dealing with novel coronavirus, or COVID-19.

“Việt Nam has been doing well in the prevention of COVID-19. You made us safe during the meeting in the beautiful Đà Nẵng city.”

The ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting, which closed on Friday morning, was the third and last activity after the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting and the 9th Meeting of the ASEAN Co-coordinating Council Working Group Meeting (ACCWG). It’s part of crucial preparations for the 36th ASEAN Summit to be held at Ariyana International Convention Centre in Đà Nẵng on April 8-9. — VNS