Accelerating Establishment of ASEAN Community

ASEAN Summit 16 is the first of its kind in 2010 to promote the community and the orientation for ASEAN cooperation in 2010. It is also the first ASEAN Summit hosted and chaired by Vietnam. Therefore, the success of the Summit is most important to Vietnam and ASEAN as a whole for it will be a good start of ASEAN activities in 2010. The Summit is also an occasion to introduce the image of Vietnam of peace and stability, of age old history and rich traditional culture, dynamic development and active contribution to peace, stability and development in the region and the world over.

 

What is the main theme of the Summit, Deputy Prime Minister ?
At ASEAN Summit 16, ASEAN leaders will focus on main substances : Accelerating the implementation of the Charter and establishment of ASEAN Community; ASEAN role in regional structure; economic recovery and sustainable development; measures against global challenges including climate change. ASEAN leaders will also exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern. In capacity of ASEAN chairmanship in 2010 and host country of ASEAN Summit 16, Vietnam has coordinated closely with other ASEAN members and submit for consideration and approval of ASEAN leaders draft Declaration of ASEAN leaders on economic recovery and sustainable development and Declaration on cooperation against climate change.    

  

As ASEAN Chairman, Vietnam wishes to convey to international friends the message of a proactive and responsible Vietnam, trying its best to build together with other ASEAN members a successful ASEAN Community by 2015.

 

If 2009 is a transition for ASEAN to shift activities to new mechanism of the Charter, 2010 is the year of official operation of the Charter, establishing new practice for ASEAN activities in the years to come.

 

The first ASEAN Summit in 2010 is also organized in the new pattern. It is a meeting between ASEAN leaders without the participation of ASEAN partners and the meeting can focus on internal cooperation. ASEAN Summit 17 will be held by the end of 2010 with the participation of ASEAN partners. It is the new thing compared to Summits prior to the Charter.

 

The organization and programme are strictly in line with ASEAN practice but with less formalities so that the Summit can focus more on contents and make ASEAN activities more fruitful and professional.

 

With chairmanship of ASEAN Summit 16, does Vietnam have any priority to promote the establishment of ASEAN Community by 2015?
The main task of ASEAN in 2010 and also of ASEAN Chairman is to accelerate the implementation of ASEAN goals. Therefore, Vietnam has proposed the theme of ASEAN in 2010 as “Towards the ASEAN Community: From vision to action” 

 

The priority of Vietnam during the ASEAN chairmanship 2010 is to make greater contribution to ASEAN unity and linkage, implement effectively Charter and process of establishing ASEAN Community, expand and deepen cooperation between ASEAN and ASEAN partners to maintain the role and position of ASEAN in the region and the world over. With determination and high sense of responsibility and on the basis of success and experience of 15 years of ASEAN membership as well as the cooperation and support of other ASEAN members and partners, Vietnam is confident that it can be successful in the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2010.