(VOVWORLD) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) flag hoisting ceremony in Hanoi on Thursday to mark the 52nd anniversary of the grouping.
The event drew Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, head of SOM Vietnam, diplomats from ASEAN countries in Hanoi, and representatives of ministries, agencies, and international organizations in Vietnam.
Addressing the ceremony, Deputy FM Dung reviewed ASEAN’s developments in the last 50 years plus, saying ASEAN has strengthened its status both regionally and globally. Dung said next year, Vietnam will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship, a weighty responsibility, stressing that Vietnam has contributed to the ASEAN Community’s cooperation and development since it became an ASEAN member 24 years ago. Dung said: “Vietnam pledges to join hands with other ASEAN member states to build upon past achievements, further promote dialogues and cooperation, and strive to foster a stable and peaceful environment conducive to continued development. Vietnam remains committed to expanding business and investment opportunities, improving quality of life and community health, promoting social security and welfare, fostering ASEAN's common identity, connecting the peoples of ASEAN and promoting ASEAN’s values beyond the region.”
Dung expressed his hope that in the near future, especially in 2020 as Vietnam assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship, the future Chair will receive the continued support and cooperation of all ASEAN friends and partners.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended a ceremony celebrating the 52nd founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday. Indonesian President Joko Widodo delivered his remarks at the event before leaving for official visits to Malaysia and Singapore.
Also present at the ceremony were ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi, foreign ministers of ASEAN member states, ambassadors-heads of permanent delegations to ASEAN, and representatives of diplomatic corps in Indonesia.
On this occasion, the ASEAN Secretariat openeda new building, which was built next to the current ASEAN Secretariat building.
In a congratulatory message to ASEAN on its 52nd anniversary, the US Secretary of State said the strategic partnership between the US and ASEAN contributes to the shared vision of a rule-based, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific region. He pledged to further cooperate with ASEAN to promote those values, and policies which will help boost regional growth.