Vietnam officially takes over the Presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on January 1, 2010, just at the moment it celebrates the 15th anniversary of admission to the Association. On the occasion, PM Nguyen Tan Dung extended to leaders and peoples of ASEAN members, partner countries and international friends the message of peace, solidarity, friendship and development cooperation.
The following is the full text of PM Nguyen Tan Dung’s speech:
Ladies and gentlemen
Comrades and compatriots
Dear friends,
Vietnam is assuming the Presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for one year, starting on January 1, 2010, just at the moment when the country celebrates the 15th anniversary of its admission to ASEAN. This is a great honor and also a great responsibility. We have early done preparations in all fields and are now ready to undertake this mission in a most fruitful way.
For more than 40 years of development, ASEAN now becomes a dynamic regional organization of ten Southeast Asian countries, with many cooperative activities in all fields of politics, economics, culture and society. The Association has made significant contributions to consolidating and strengthening peace, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, ASEAN has fostered trustful partnerships with all big countries and important regions worldwide while playing an important role in regional and international frameworks.
ASEAN leaders at the 15th ASEAN Summit, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Thailand, October 23-25, 2009
ASEAN cooperation is a strategic priority which will facilitate Vietnam’s cause of national construction and protection. We always consider the participation in ASEAN cooperation an important component of Vietnam’s diplomatic policy of diversification, multilateralization, and regional and international integration. Over the past 15 years, we have actively taken part in and contributed to the Association. In the new stage, we will join ASEAN cooperation in a "proactive and responsible" manner, helping to build an ASEAN with closer linkages and greater strength.
Vietnam takes over the chairmanship of ASEAN when the Association is moving to a new stage of development, entering the hinge year of the five years of building the ASEAN Community by 2015. The Charter and Roadmap for the construction of the ASEAN Community approved by ASEAN leaders are visions and the framework of action for ASEAN, with the overall target of building the ASEAN Community with three pillars - Politics-Security, Economy, and Culture-Society – and putting the ASEAN Charter into reality. Therefore, all member nations show their high agreement with Vietnam-initiated theme for the Year of ASEAN Presidency 2010 “Towards the ASEAN Community: From vision to action.” This will be the backbone guideline of ASEAN in 2010.
Activities at the 15th ASEAN Summit, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Thailand, October 23-25, 2009
Based on this orientation, Vietnam’s focus and priorities in the Year of ASEAN Presidency 2010 will be to consolidate solidarity and linkages within ASEAN; fruitfully realize the Charter and Roadmap of building the ASEAN Community; expand and deepen cooperation between ASEAN and partners; and proactively popularize and heighten the international role and status of the Association. We will actively promote cooperation within ASEAN and between the Association and its partners in order to cope with global challenges, such as financial-economic crisis, food and energy security, climate change, natural calamities and epidemics.
Apart from assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship, in 2010, Vietnam will see many important events, especially the 1000th anniversary of Thăng Long-Hà Nội. Thus, when hosting important ASEAN events, we should introduce to friends from ASEAN and other countries about Vietnam’s country, people, cultural traditions, history and potentials for development; showcase images of a renovated and dynamic Vietnam with firm socio-political stability and a diplomatic policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship and cooperation with all countries, and active international integration.
The Government and people of Vietnam will show their high determination and necessary resources to fulfill its missions as the Chair of ASEAN, proving Vietnam’s contributions and imprints in all fields of contents, propagration, organization, security and safety. I require ministries, sectors and localities, particularly the National Committee for ASEAN 2010, to highlight their sense of responsibility, flexibility and creativity, completing all set taks and plans.
On behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, the Chair of ASEAN, I would like to take this occasion to convey to leaders and peoples of all ASEAN members, partner countries and international friends the message of peace, solidarity, friendship and development cooperation. An ASEAN on the way of building its Community needs supports and joint efforts from all of you, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world. I hope that all ASEAN members, partner countries and international friends to assist Vietnam in successfully undetaking the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2010.
Wish ASEAN a new year of great success.
Best wishes to all of you on the New Year.
Thank you very much.
