(VOVworld) – President Truong Tan Sang and the Vietnamese delegation left Bali on Tuesday after attending the 21^st APEC Summit in Indonesia. Results of the Summit not only opened cooperative opportunities for member economies but also acknowledged Vietnam’s significant contributions. President Sang made a statement at the Summit’s first working session on the organization’s role in strengthening the multilateral trade system in the current global economy. He made a number of proposals to increase economic connectivity with priority given to achieving the Bogor goals. He underscored APEC’s urgent task in pushing for a concrete agreement to be reached at the World Trade Organization Ministerial Meeting in December. Vietnam also proposed increasing cooperation in the areas of food security, water resources, emergency response, and search and rescue at sea. Vietnam called on APEC to support efforts to establish an ASEAN Community by 2015, cooperate with ASEAN in infrastructure projects and sub-Mekong regional programs focused on narrowing the development gap. President Sang said that Vietnam will host the 25^th APEC Summit and the organization’s important activities in 2017: “Vietnam’s hosting of the APEC Summit demonstrates its determination in international integration as defined by the 11^th National Party Congress. It also reflects Vietnam’s vision on Asia-Pacific and its desire to fulfill its membership responsibility towards regional issues.”

President Sang said that Vietnam’s active participation in and contribution to ASEAN, APEC, and other regional institutions had helped the country maintain an environment of peace and stability and utilize international sources for development. Vietnam’s international integration has also benefited its localities and businesses. President Sang said: “As host of the 25^th APEC Summit, we will have an opportunity to introduce to the world a reformed and dynamic Vietnam with huge potential for development. It will also be a chance to strengthen friendship with international friends, who in turn can learn more about our glorious history and diverse culture.

During the summit, President Sang held a number of bilateral meetings with leaders of APEC members including the Indonesian President, the Sultan of Brunei, the Chinese President, the Russian President, the head of the US delegation, and the Prime Ministers of Japan and Australia. He agreed on measures to enhance cooperation, particularly strategic and comprehensive partnerships with these countries.  

Before his departure, President Sang attended two important sessions on APEC’s vision of connectivity in the evolving regional and international architecture, and sustainable growth in combination with equality: food security, water resources and energy. He said that Vietnam supports APEC’s Connectivity Framework, particularly in the areas of investment, infrastructure, transportation, information technology, education, tourism, and emergency responses. He called for a new approach to food security, water resources, and energy on the basis of long-term vision and creativity, adding that this should be a priority in all APEC mechanisms.

Following the Summit, President Sang attended a meeting of leaders of the 12 members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP). The meeting approved the TPP Leadership Statement and a report by TPP Trade Ministers. Participants agreed to complete TPP negotiations this year. In his address, President Sang proposed that a flexible approach is needed taking into consideration the different levels of development among members and requested increased technical assistance to realize the opportunities and prospects that the agreement could offer.