Towards a prosperous, united and developed ASEAN community

Continuing activities within the framework of the official visit to Malaysia, on the morning of November 22 local time, General Secretary To Lam visited and delivered an important policy speech at the National University of Malaya.

General Secretary To Lam speaks at the University of Malaya. Photo: VNA.

Speaking at the University of Malaya, General Secretary To Lam expressed his honor to visit and speak at the prestigious Malaysian school, which is not only a symbol of Malaysian education but also one of the leading knowledge centers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. With a history of more than 100 years, the University of Malaya has become the cradle of many generations of outstanding talents, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and four other Malaysian prime ministers.

General Secretary To Lam shared his impressions not only of the achievements that Malaysia has made, but also of the major orientations and plans that the Malaysian Government has set out and is implementing. These are long-term development strategies that are breakthroughs, have great vision and ambition, with the goal of making Malaysia one of the 30 largest economies in the world within 10 years, one of the regional "locomotives" in innovation, creativity, high-tech products and green development.

The General Secretary said that after nearly 80 years since the founding of the country and nearly 40 years of Doi Moi, under the leadership of the Communist Party, the Vietnamese people have achieved great and historic achievements. Overcoming many difficulties and challenges, from a country devastated by war, Vietnam has regained independence and today has become a developing country with an average income, deeply integrated, taking on many important international responsibilities, promoting an active role in many important multilateral organizations and forums... Those great and historic achievements, along with the recognition of international friends, have placed Vietnam at a new historical starting point, confidently entering a new era, with strategic and long-term orientations for the next stage. The focus is on successfully achieving the goals of marking 100 years under the leadership of the Communist Party in 2030 and 100 years of national founding in 2045, while continuing to firmly uphold independence, self-reliance, self-confidence, self-reliance, national pride, multilateralization, diversification, for peace, cooperation and development, proactively and actively integrating comprehensively and deeply into the international community; at the same time, enhancing Vietnam's contributions and responsibilities in world politics, the global economy and human civilization.

The General Secretary stressed that Vietnam's development path cannot be separated from the world and the region. Vietnam cannot achieve the above-mentioned goals without clear international solidarity, valuable support and effective cooperation from the international community, including Malaysia and ASEAN partners.

Throughout most of the development journey of the two countries, Vietnam and Malaysia have accompanied, cooperated, shared and grown together. Trade between the two countries has originated long ago in history. Malaysia and the Vietnam-Malaysia relationship have always held a top position in Vietnam's foreign policy.

In a volatile world, Vietnam and Malaysia share strategic interests and common views on many international issues, including issues that are of close interest to each side, such as ensuring the strategic autonomy of each country and ASEAN in a volatile world, limiting the negative impacts of strategic competition between major powers, and ensuring the development space of the two countries. As both members of ASEAN and the Non-Aligned Movement, the two countries have a harmonious and satisfactory approach to foreign affairs, not choosing sides but choosing what is best for the peace, security, and development of each country and the whole region, based on international law.

General Secretary To Lam believes that the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework will open a new era of development in the bilateral relationship, effectively supporting and complementing the development path for peace, stability and prosperity of each country and the whole region. General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the next stage of Vietnam and Malaysia, of the bilateral relationship as well as ensuring a fair, open international system based on international law depends largely on the strong development of ASEAN. The future of ASEAN depends on the determination of each member country, including Malaysia and Vietnam.

The General Secretary stated that Vietnam is always optimistic about the future of ASEAN and proactively and wholeheartedly contributes to the strength of the organization. Since joining in 1995, Vietnam has always actively participated in and contributed to the community's initiatives and action programs.

Over the past 30 years, joining ASEAN has always been a strategic priority and top choice for Vietnam with a clear awareness that ASEAN is a strategic space, contributing to creating a favorable situation, maintaining a peaceful, secure, stable and developing environment for Vietnam. On the basis of "innovation, creativity, integration", Vietnam is not only a proactive member but also plays a bridging role, contributing to strengthening solidarity and unity in ASEAN, becoming a prestigious, responsible member, making every effort, cooperating sincerely, trustingly and contributing wholeheartedly...

Vietnam looks forward to further progress of the ASEAN Community as well as each member country in the new era, for the development of each country, for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. In 2025, with the role of Chair of Malaysia, Vietnam believes that ASEAN will make important strides towards a prosperous, united and developed community. Vietnam is strongly committed to accompanying Malaysia and ASEAN on this journey.

General Secretary To Lam said that to realize that vision, the role of young intellectuals, researchers and students is becoming more important than ever. Vietnam and Malaysia share the view of putting people at the center of development. Leaders of the two countries through generations have always considered education - training, scientific research and technology as the foundation of development. Vietnam considers education - training as a national policy, prioritizing investment for development, ahead of other fields; considering human resource development as one of the three strategic breakthroughs.

Also on the morning of November 22, General Secretary To Lam and the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation visited the National Data Center of Malaysia. At the Data Center, Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs of Malaysia Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong welcomed and invited General Secretary To Lam and the delegation to visit and survey the Center and listen to a report on Malaysia's digital transformation.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/huong-toi-mot-cong-dong-asean-thinh-vuong-doan-ket-va-phat-trien-10295083.html