(VOVworld)- Vietnam joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN on July 28, 1995. This was Vietnam’s significant and historic decision.
Vietnam officially became the 7th member of ASEAN at a ceremony in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on July 28, 1995. The event marked a significant milestone in Vietnam’s international integration.
Strategic benefits with ASEAN
Over the past 19 years, Vietnam has obtained significant achievements and contributed to ensuring a peaceful environment and security for regional development. Vietnam has developed bilateral and multilateral relations within ASEAN, and participated in regional economic connectivity by implementing AFTA agreements. Vietnam has joined the regional road, electricity, and fuel networks and stepped up cooperation in agriculture, forestry, fishery, transport, culture, information, education, poverty reduction, and crime and disease prevention and control. Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh told VOV: “Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995 when the bloc adopted the plan to build an ASEAN community. Vietnam has fully implemented its responsibility towards ASEAN’s goals. Vietnam has actively participated in building mechanisms at the regional level”.
Vietnam has strengthened neighbourliness, cooperation and mutual assistance on the basis of mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference into other country’s internal affairs. ASEAN membership has given Vietnam the opportunity to strengthen external relations with non-ASEAN member countries including powerful countries and proactively participate in international cooperation mechanisms including ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, the Asia-Europe Meeting and the World Trade Organization, thus improving Vietnam’s international prestige.
Vietnam- an active, dynamic and responsible member of ASEAN
A united and prestigious ASEAN is in conformity with Vietnam’s fundamental and long term interests. Over the last 19 years, Vietnam and other ASEAN members have overcome historical differences to strengthen comprehensive cooperation under the spirit of friendship and unity.
In ASEAN’s new period of development, Vietnam aims to introduce more initiatives to boost ASEAN’s cooperation and join ASEAN’s efforts to overcome difficulties, challenges and complications to maintain the bloc’s vitality and value. Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh said: “Vietnam will benefit from the peaceful development of the Southeast Asian region. So, Vietnam considers the development of an ASEAN Community its own strategic benefit. Once ASEAN becomes a Community, in addition to peace, stability and development, Vietnam can take advantage of ASEAN economies to boost its own development”.
In the meantime, Vietnam will focus on realizing ASEAN Community’s goals which will help raise Vietnam’s international prestige and position and promote its image as a renovating and dynamic country with a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development. Nguyen Tien Minh is Director of the ASEAN Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “It is important to strengthen unity and consensus within ASEAN and maintaining ASEAN’s central role in dealing with regional and international issues. Vietnam will join other ASEAN countries to boost connectivity, and build an ASEAN community. Vietnam will also strengthen coordination between ministries and sectors in participating in ASEAN”.
Over the last 19 years, Vietnam has made significant contributions to ASEAN’s development. In face with opportunities and challenges ahead, Vietnam and other ASEAN countries need to further their cooperation and introduce more initiatives and measures to realize ASEAN’s 2020 Vision and build an ASEAN Community as a key factor in Asia.