ASEM members need to search and promote fresh impetus for development with broader, deeper and cross-sectoral approach, said Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh.
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Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh at the the conference under the theme of "Promoting Comprehensive Asia-Europe Partnership in the 21st Century," Hanoi, April 20, 2016 |
Mr. Minh made the statement on April 20 in Hanoi at the conference under the theme of "Promoting Comprehensive Asia-Europe Partnership in the 21st Century."
The conference reviewed the cooperation within the framework over the last 20 years, opportunities and challenges faced by ASEM members in the context of new developments in both Asia and Europe, as well as discussed outlook for ASEM cooperation in the next decade.
Strengthening cooperation amidst new backdrop
“ASEM has grown beyond our initial expectations and established itself as a crucial platform for dialogue and cooperation and been instrumental in forging links and multi-layered cooperation for peace and development,” said Deputy PM Minh.
Founded in March, 1996, ASEM has been and continues to be an important factor in shaping the global setting in the 21st century. The forum is gradually bringing vital benefits to its members in their endeavors to sustain peace, security, stability and economic recovery, and to respond to global challenges.
ASEM, said the host leader, has so far evolved to become a big family of 53 members. The sense of community among ASEM members is becoming even stronger with the increasing shared interests. That is peace, stability and cooperation for sustainable development and prosperity in both continents.
In the “multi-centered” setting and amid the observable trend in democratization in international relations, numerous existing regional mechanisms have been consolidated alongside with the formation of many new ones. They are more diverse and flexible by nature.
The unprecedented development of globalisation and information technology is deepening interdependence among all players and promoting linkages at all levels, said the Deputy PM.
Asia and Europe are witnessing strong growth of partnerships and next-generation free trade agreements. Global challenges are growing with greater complexity. They cannot be dealt with by any individual country or region. There have been a series of burning issues such as increasing poverty and development gap, climate change, natural disasters, salinization, population ageing, urbanization, the water - energy - food nexus, etc.
"In our view, addressing them is both an imperative need and an impetus for stronger cooperation to ensure sustainable development in each member country and the two continents," noted the leader.
"This undoubtedly requires ASEM members to enhance cooperation and connectivity. We need to search and promote fresh impetus for development with broader and deeper as well as cross-sectoral approach," he affirmed.
The Deputy PM called on ASEM to define and promote new elements to enhance ASEM's effective, relevant and in-depth cooperation; develop a new concept and a comprehensive approach that ensure the harmony between the informal nature and the efficiency of ASEM cooperation and create concrete outcomes; boost human-centered innitiatives and mechanisms so as to encourage people’s engagement in ASEM’s activities and provide them with tangible benefits; and put in place recommendations on how best
Vietnam can make robust and meaningful contributions to ASEM.
Vietnam commits to linking hands with other ASEM member states
For Vietnam, ASEM cooperation is of great importance to its reform, development and far-reaching international integration. ASEM is home to 19 out of 26 strategic and comprehensive partners of Vietnam, making up 70% of our FDI and international trade, and 80% of international tourists to Vietnam.
14 out of the 16 FTAs signed or under negotiation by Vietnam are with ASEM partners.
This enables Vietnam to become a crucial link.
As one of pioneers in launching and implementing ASEM initiatives, Vietnam is engaging in three areas of tangible cooperation, namely disaster risk reduction and management, efficient and sustainable water management, and vocational training and skills development.
“We are making every effort to fulfill our commitments made in numerous FTAs between ASEAN and its partners, and promote ASEAN - EU FTA negotiations, etc. This also provides Vietnam with a better position to promote Asia - Europe integration,” affirmed Mr. Minh.
According to the host leader, Vietnam is committed to working closely with ASEM members to lift up the Forum's cooperation towards an ASEM Community, that is human-centered, dynamic, connected and resilient by nature.
