Vietnam Stands At Core Of Evolving ASEAN: Malaysian Ambassador
HANOI, July 25 (Bernama-VNA) -- Vietnam continues to hold a central position in an ever-evolving Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai has said.
Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in an interview with Tan in conjunction with 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN, reported Tan highlighted Vietnam's prominent and active contributions to the ASEAN community-building process, especially during the bloc's transformation from a loosely structured regional organisation into a rules-based community.
Vietnam made its mark early with the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA) in 1998, hosting the 6th ASEAN Summit, and leading the bloc's first formal workplan towards the ASEAN Vision 2020, he said.
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The country, which formally join ASEAN on July 28, 1995, also strongly supported the establishment of key ASEAN mechanisms during this period, such as the ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), expanding the bloc's dialogue partnerships and global reach.
He said notably, Vietnam's Chairmanship in 2020, during the peak of COVID-19, demonstrated its strong leadership in crisis diplomacy.
For the first time in history, Vietnam hosted the ASEAN Summit virtually, alongside the establishment of the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, and the implementation of coordinated regional recovery measures, demonstrating the bloc's solidarity and flexible response capability.
After 30 years, Vietnam has evolved from a new entrant into a credible, constructive, and consensus-building member of ASEAN, the diplomat said, noting that its performance reflects increasing confidence, growing diplomatic weight, and a strong commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and shared identity - well aligned with the goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
According to the ambassador, Vietnam has emerged as one of ASEAN's most dynamic economies, making significant contributions to ASEAN's global trade profile and serving as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region.
Tan also highlighted the fruitful development in Vietnam-Malaysia bilateral relations in recent years, noting the recent upgrade of their ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership marks a timely and historic step.
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