(Photo:VNA)

Since joining ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam has consistently participated and contributed in a proactive, positive, and responsible manner. Vietnam, as a coordinator, will facilitate conditions for the upgrading of RoK-ASEAN ties, said Ambassador Lee.

He said, “First and foremost, on Vietnam’s country coordinatorship, my President announced this very special strategic ASEAN foreign policy in the 2022 ASEAN-Korea Summit. Secondly, my President also announced the commitment to double the financial contribution of Korea to the ASEAN-Korea cooperation fund which is very important to Korea-ASEAN cooperation."

“Last year, on Vietnam’s country coordinatorship, ASEAN and Korea successfully adopted a joint declaration on ASEAN’s perspective on Indo-Pacific and also there’s another important development on Vietnam’s coordinatorship which is about the proposal by Korea to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership between ASEAN and external partners,” he added. 

Vietnamese Ambassador to ASEAN, Ton Thi Ngoc Huong, said Vietnam will continue to work hard to contribute to the development of the ASEAN community. She said that ASEAN has always been a high priority in Vietnam's foreign policy.

"As ASEAN is building and implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, Vietnam will continue to actively and responsibly contribute to promoting ASEAN's role, position, solidarity, and centrality, as well as strengthening its resilience to adapt to regional and international challenges," she said.

At the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, last Friday, Vietnam officially assumed the role of coordinator for ASEAN's relations with its two new partners, New Zealand and the UK.