(VOVworld) – This year Vietnam celebrates 20 years of membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. VOV reviews Vietnam’s biggest contributions to ASEAN over the past 2 decades. 

ASEAN Unity - One Vision, one identity, one community

Membership in ASEAN reflects Vietnam’s policy of regional and global integration in politics, security, and economics.

A wise decision

When ASEAN was established 48 years ago, the founding countries intended to gather regional countries under a common roof for peace, stability, and prosperous development. Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cam recalls: “The ASEAN founding declaration voiced a wish for all 10 regional countries to join ASEAN. They were growing countries with noticeable income gaps. Cooperation and joint development seemed an ambitious idea, but it matched a global trend.”

Recognizing the strategic role and benefit of ASEAN in its own regional and global integration, Vietnam pushed ahead with its decision to join ASEAN and comprehensively reform its external policy. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung says: “Vietnam’s joining ASEAN was a good decision. In 1995 Vietnam needed socio-economic development, integration, and greater external cooperation. ASEAN membership opened opportunities for Vietnam to connect with the EU and normalize relations with the US and China. Vietnam has been an active member and has made major contributions.”  

Following Vietnam’s accession, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar joined ASEAN, bringing the total membership to 10. The ASEAN-10 has developed a long-lasting relationship of friendship, stability, and comprehensive cooperation among members, towards the formation of an ASEAN community.

Being an active, positive, and responsible member of ASEAN

Vietnam has fulfilled its commitments toward ASEAN targets and has helped to build regional mechanisms.

Unity and consensus within ASEAN and ASEAN’s increasingly important role globally serve Vietnam’s basic long-term interests. Over the past 20 years Vietnam and the other ASEAN members have overcome differences and historical problems to achieve a cooperation based on friendship and solidarity.

At the threshold of transforming a regional association into an ASEAN community, Vietnam has promoted a spirit of proactive and responsible cooperation.

Vietnam is one of two ASEAN countries who have led the advance towards the ASEAN community. Former Deputy Foreign Minister and President of the Vietnam-ASEAN Friendship Organization Le Cong Phung says: “Vietnam is preparing mechanisms for its role in a community, not just in an association. All sectors have to get involved in the preparations to ensure the success of the community.”

Opportunities for growth as well as challenges lie ahead. ASEAN member nations must enhance their cooperation to realize Vision 2020 and make the ASEAN community a key element in Asia.