"Vietnam is an important piece in terms of politics, diplomacy, security, economy, culture and society, thereby helping ASEAN become stronger, more self-reliant and more dynamic...". ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn emphasized in a press interview before General Secretary To Lam's visit to Indonesia and the ASEAN Secretariat.
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| ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn. (Photo: Jackie Chan) |
The visit is of historical significance
ASEAN Secretary General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, commented that General Secretary To Lam's state visit to Indonesia as well as his official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat is a visit of historic significance.
The General Secretary is the highest-ranking leader of Vietnam, an ASEAN member state, and therefore can be called an ASEAN leader, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN (1995-2025). Therefore, this has special significance. "This is an important highlight of the visit because it will strengthen Vietnam's role in ASEAN," Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn affirmed.
During the visit, General Secretary To Lam will deliver his first policy speech to officials of the ASEAN Secretariat, Ambassadors, Heads of Permanent Missions of member states to ASEAN, Ambassadors of dialogue partners, sectoral dialogue partners, development partners and other external partners represented in ASEAN, as well as business leaders.
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn said that this is of unprecedented significance because Vietnam has always played a very active and proactive role. The ASEAN Secretary-General was "very pleased to see that Vietnam has made ASEAN one of the top priorities in its foreign policy".
In addition, this year also marks another historic milestone for ASEAN - the final phase of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the leaders will launch in May this year a vision for the next 20 years - the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, with four new strategic plans. Therefore, according to the ASEAN Secretary-General, the visit is very timely and strategic.
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn believes that "General Secretary To Lam's visit will enhance the image, prestige and vision of ASEAN not only in the region but also globally. This is another important contribution of Vietnam to ASEAN. In particular, the policy speech will help orient ASEAN and the roadmap that ASEAN is moving towards".
Vietnam - An important piece of ASEAN
Regarding Vietnam's contributions to ASEAN over the past 30 years, ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn said, "Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has contributed greatly in promoting and maintaining peace, stability, and security in ASEAN, promoting the expansion and development of ASEAN's prosperity, and strengthening the bloc's foreign relations, especially cooperation with external partners. Therefore, foreign relations have been further strengthened."
He said that Vietnam is now an extremely important member country, because Vietnam's development, transformation and growth have contributed significantly to ASEAN in all aspects, making Vietnam an important piece in politics, diplomacy, security, economy, culture and society, thereby helping ASEAN become stronger, more self-reliant and more dynamic. Vietnam has also strengthened ASEAN's role, not only at the regional level but also globally, as ASEAN seeks to expand its role in the region through ASEAN-led mechanisms. For example, Vietnam's role in global trade, Vietnam's contribution to economic development in ASEAN are extremely important.
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn emphasized that all of these things have shown the role of Vietnam. In particular, Vietnam ranks third in terms of population in ASEAN, after Indonesia and the Philippines. Vietnam currently has about 100 million people with abundant human resources. Therefore, Vietnam is a very influential member of ASEAN.
According to Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, as ASEAN moves towards the adoption of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with four new strategic plans and towards the realization of this vision, all 10 member states will have their own contributions. He believes that Vietnam has always been very active and proactive in supporting ASEAN work in many different ways, through economics, diplomacy, security, politics, culture, and society.
Vietnam not only has many opportunities but also great potential. Over the past 30 years, Vietnam has achieved many things. In the next 20 years, the Secretary-General believes that "Vietnam will always be active and supportive of the bloc in realizing a dynamic, creative, self-reliant and people-centered ASEAN community".
To do that, first of all, ASEAN needs to do a good job of maintaining peace, stability, security, promoting economic development, as well as ensuring that the Association will continue to have a stronger voice and unified viewpoint. Because, ASEAN is currently still constantly developing.
As the economy has risen from the 9th to the 5th position, we expect ASEAN to move up to the 4th position by 2030. That means all member countries will have to play an important role, especially Vietnam will have a key role in this issue, said Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
Affirming that making positive contributions to the bloc is in the interests of each member state, he explained that a strong and resilient ASEAN is good for all ASEAN member states, especially for the bloc's citizens. Therefore, "it is good that we see member states, including Vietnam, continue to invest a lot of resources in their citizens, ASEAN citizens. What we want to see: a strong ASEAN. A strong Vietnam means a strong ASEAN, and vice versa."
Dr. Kao Kim Hourn emphasized that Vietnam has great leaders with vision. They have shown their commitment and dedication to ASEAN. And in his view, "ASEAN will always be a part of the foreign policy of each member country, including Vietnam".
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