Vietnam prepares for ASEAN summits in Thailand

VOVNews, Vietnam, 23 March 2009

Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN summits gives the country the chance to put forward useful opinions on the region’s development and get ready for playing its role as ASEAN President in 2010.

A series of high-level meetings were held in Bangkok, Thailand, from March 18-20 to prepare for the ASEAN +1, ASEAN +3 and East Asia Summits, which will be held in the southern island resort province of Phuket from April 10-12. Pham Quang Vinh, Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, granted an exclusive interview to a VOV reporter in Thailand in this connection.

Reporter: Could you tell us about the contents of the high-level meetings, which took place recently?

Mr Vinh: Senior officials from ASEAN, ASEAN+1, ASEAN+ 3 and the East Asia Summit had prepared some draft documents on natural calamities, food security and the global financial crisis, which will then be submitted to the ASEAN leaders for approval in April.

In addition, officials agreed on the multilateralisation of the Chiang Mai initiative, which has seen funding rise from US$80 billion to US$120 billion to cope with the current financial crisis.

A joint statement on finance will also be released at the East Asia Summit, advocating measures aimed at strengthening the region’s capacity to cope with the crisis. In addition, countries in the region will work together closely to deal with the financial crisis as well as in development. Under the framework of ASEAN+3 and the East Asia summit, all countries will continue to carry out joint projects, strengthen cooperation and strive to create an East Asian community.

Reporter: What is on the agendas of the ASEAN + 1, ASEAN + 3 and East Asia Summits?

Mr Vinh: The upcoming senior officials’ meeting will preparer thoroughly for the ASEAN + 1, ASEAN + 3 and East Asia Summits, scheduled to be held from April 10-12, 2009. Senior officials will review the actions taken in the cooperation framework of ASEAN + 1, ASEAN + 3 and the East Asia Summit and discuss joint working in the future. They will look for measures to strengthen regional cooperation to deal with challenges caused by the global financial crisis and will also focus on issues relating to food and energy security and natural disasters.

Reporter: Could you elaborate on Vietnam’s contributions to the approaching summits?

Mr Vinh: Vietnam wants to boost cooperation among ASEAN member countries, as well as between ASEAN and its partners. We are striving to cooperate with other regional countries in order to ensure the success of the upcoming summits.

I think, it is essential for the whole region to cope with the negative impacts of the current global financial crisis and Vietnam will make an active contribution to overcoming these difficulties. Furthermore, as an ASEAN member country, Vietnam will also its share experiences in other global frameworks, including the forthcoming G20 Summit.

The country is expected to hold the ASEAN presidency in 2010 and not only lead the regional bloc but also cooperative agreement with its outside partners. Therefore, the forthcoming summits are a good opportunity for Vietnam to gain experience in this and contribute along with other countries when it holds the ASEAN presidency in 2010.

Reporter: Thank you.