(VOVWORLD) - Vietnam supports Laos in hosting the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings and supports Timor Leste in becoming a full member of ASEAN, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said on Thursday.
 Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of Vietnam's ASEAN SOM Do Hung Viet (Photo: Xuan Tu/VNA) |
At the Senior Officials Meetings of ASEAN and ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Laos over the past two days, Mr. Viet said Vietnam is ready to share its experience in preparations to join ASEAN and that ASEAN should support, facilitate, and simplify ASEAN accession procedures for Timor Leste.
Welcoming efforts to deepen ASEAN+3 and EAS cooperation, he asked partners to continue their support for ASEAN Community building, practical cooperation to accelerate regional connectivity and self-reliance, and take advantage of new trends in innovation, digital economy, digital transformation, and green transformation.
He asked partners to support ASEAN’s stance and principles, particularly in regard to the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), emphasized the importance of international law and UNCLOS 1982 in the peaceful resolution of disputes, and affirmed the desire of Vietnam and other countries to maintain peace, security, and stability, and promote cooperation and development.
The 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings will take place from October 8 to October 11, in Vientiane, Laos, where leaders of ASEAN countries and partners will make strategic decisions to strengthen the ASEAN Community and discuss regional and global issues of concern. Some 80 agreements are expected to be approved.