Vietnam proposes to build ASEM as a champion for multilateral cooperation
(VOVWORLD) -As the Asia–Europe Meeting (ASEM) enters the third decade, it is time to build a vision for a responsible and responsive ASEM as a champion for multilateral cooperation, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said.
 (photo: VOV)
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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the remark at the first plenary session of the 13th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which convened in Myanmar’s capital city of Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
In his speech, Minh urged Europe and Asia to continue taking the lead in maintaining the world peace and stability, promoting dialogue, confidence-building and preventive diplomacy, and upholding international law.
He recalled commitments made by APEC leaders at their meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, noting that they “upheld the core values of APEC of free and open trade and investment and its continued support for the multilateral trading system, the finalisation the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) next year and the new Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The official affirmed that Vietnam will continue working closely with ASEM partners for peace, sustainable development, and to build a vision for a responsible and responsive ASEM in the next decade.
He added that as key drivers of economic growth and innovation in the 21st century, Asia and Europe have full ability and responsibility to champion for 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. He suggested the collaboration cover sustainable and inclusive growth, poverty eradication, climate change, disaster risk reduction, sustainable management of natural resources, food – water – energy security, and development of global value chains and supply chains, among other arenas.