The virtual ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam is ready to hold the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in November in a format suitable to current conditions, said Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Quốc Dũng at a virtual ASEAN Joint Consultative Meeting on Thursday.

He said that Việt Nam, as ASEAN Chair 2020, has spared no efforts to organise a successful summit and related meetings, showing that a united, confident and firm ASEAN is overcoming the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eleven high-level meetings are scheduled to take place on November 13-15, including the 37th ASEAN Summit and summits between ASEAN and its partners.

A series of related activities will be held on the sidelines of the summit, including the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit.

At the meeting, participants applauded the progress made in implementing the priorities and initiatives of ASEAN 2020 as well as initiatives in response to the COVID-19.

They spoke highly of Việt Nam as ASEAN Chair 2020 for proposing and promoting prioritised initiatives during the year, achieving practical results, making an active contribution to the building of the ASEAN Community and effectively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They agreed to co-ordinate closely to ensure the priorities of 2020, as well as COVID-19 prevention and control plans, will be fulfilled as scheduled.

Earlier the same day, the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group (ACCWG) convened the 10th meeting in the form of a video conference to discuss Timor Leste’s ASEAN membership application. It was chaired by Deputy Minister Dũng. — VNS