(VOVworld) – The 2016 ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat opened in Vientiane on Saturday. The Vietnamese delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

In his address, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thouloun Sisoulith said the establishment of the ASEAN Community resulted from ASEAN’s efforts to implement its cooperation programs over the last 5 decades. He said that during 2016 ASEAN countries will focus on implementing the ASEAN 2025 vision and 3 master plans to maintain peace, stability and a vision beyond the ASEAN region, increase connectivity, and narrow the development gap between member nations. This is the first ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat during Laos’ ASEAN presidency.