With "impressive" success in ASEAN, Vietnam affirms its mettle amid many changes

Sharing with the press on a recent occasion, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh affirmed that Vietnam has an extremely important position in ASEAN, and at the same time has the ability to maintain good relations with countries, including major countries, despite complex competition between them.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh has been involved in ASEAN work for many years and is often referred to by the familiar name "Vinh SOM". (Photo: Quang Hoa)

'Remarkable' success in ASEAN

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh assessed that the world is being strongly divided “unprecedentedly” since the Cold War. Specifically, competition between major countries is increasing, typically the complexity of the US-China relationship. Along with that is the adjustment of policies of allied countries when competition between these two powers is pushed up.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh also mentioned emerging challenges that have profound impacts on the common security and development environment, from epidemics, climate change, to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and other hot spots in the world.

In such a complicated context, according to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, there are still bright spots.

Accordingly, first, despite the strategic competition between major powers, the trend in this region continues to be peace, stability and cooperation. Second, this is a dynamically developing region, the driving force of world growth. Third, multilateralism and international law are still the dominant trends. Notably, the role and value of ASEAN in contributing to peace and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh said that Vietnam has an important role and position in ASEAN and in the region in general, while maintaining good relations with countries, including major countries, despite complex competition between them.

Vietnam’s success in ASEAN is a factor that Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh particularly emphasized. Vietnam joined ASEAN later than many other countries, but the role and position of Vietnam and of ASEAN in general are gradually changing dramatically.

For example, in 2020, when Vietnam was ASEAN Chair, the pandemic suddenly appeared, causing the region and the world to suffer. Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh cited evidence that, in the most difficult times, Vietnam had come up with many useful initiatives. Thanks to Vietnam's initiatives, ASEAN established a contingency fund and reserves to fight the Covid-19 pandemic; organized more than 30 online meetings at the ministerial level and equivalent; two ASEAN summits 36 and 37; special meetings of senior officials (SOM); ASEAN consultation meetings (SOM) ...

Vietnam always seeks to promote ASEAN to become a strategically important partner with countries, especially major powers; implement development and security initiatives and address common challenges in the region.

Choose cooperation, not sides

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh analyzed the factors that have helped Vietnam achieve its current international position and role. First of all, Vietnam's viewpoint is to choose to cooperate with countries and not to choose sides; to promote relations based on mutual respect and cooperation; to strengthen national capacity, along with an independent, self-reliant, diversified foreign policy, and to befriend countries.

Today, according to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, challenges and opportunities are intricately intertwined. However, Vietnam has promptly dealt with the complexities that have arisen, expanding cooperation with other countries while promptly seizing and capitalizing on every opportunity in a challenging global context.

“The most important point is to consistently pursue a foreign policy of peace, independence, self-reliance, diversification and friendship with other countries. First of all, we must ensure the best national interests, along with mutually beneficial cooperation, intertwining interests with other countries,” Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh emphasized.

In addition, Vietnam always supports cooperation frameworks and mechanisms to solve common problems. Vietnam also prioritizes promoting good relations with neighbors, regions, major countries, and key partners, as well as prioritizing cooperation with organizations such as ASEAN, APEC, and the United Nations (UN).

Therefore, according to Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, when big countries compete with each other, not choosing sides is correct but not enough. Along with that, we must also choose to cooperate with other countries, choose international law, choose national interests, choose peace and development, as well as choose to support multilateralism, dialogue and cooperation to respond to common challenges.

The most important thing for Vietnam is to have consistent foreign policy and how to always maintain and enhance a favorable environment for peace, security, and national development.

Source