Vietnam's mark at ASEM 10 Conference: Great position, great responsibility!

(Baonghean) - The 10th Asia-Europe Summit ASEM, held in Italy on October 16 and 17, is considered to have achieved many good results, leaving many impressions on Vietnam's role and contributions in the context of the relationship between the two continents emerging with many complex issues, opportunities and challenges intertwined.

Heads of delegations attending ASEM 10. Photo: VNA

The results achieved by the Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at this conference have smoothly and successfully carried out the current foreign affairs task: "Maintaining a peaceful environment, favorable for promoting industrialization and modernization, firmly protecting independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity; enhancing the country's position; actively contributing to the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy and social progress in the world" (Documents of the 11th Party Congress).

ASEM 10 does not shy away from big issues

First of all, the ASEM 10 Conference has the general theme of "Responsible Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Security". Based on that general theme, in 2 days (October 16 and 17), ASEM 10 focused on discussing 4 main contents including: Economic - financial issues and Asia - Europe connectivity; Global issues; International and regional issues of common concern; Future orientation of ASEM. The special point that attracted the attention and appreciation of public opinion is that all ASEM activities have aimed at finding specific progress on socio-economic issues and cooperation of global value, through each content and meeting framework. In particular, the beneficial relationships need to be deepened, expanded and strengthened such as: China - EU; EU - Asia; Moscow – Beijing... Along with that, there are bilateral and multilateral meetings and closed-door meetings to resolve sensitive and complex issues such as: Threats to global security from the extremist Islamic State group IS, territorial disputes in the East Sea, East China Sea, issues related to Ukraine, global climate change...

As a result, at the closing session, 27 new initiatives were proposed and acknowledged; it was agreed to establish 16 specialized cooperation groups to develop cooperation orientations for the period 2014 - 2016. Of which, Vietnam contributed 3 new initiatives on: "ASEM Workshop on Sustainable Water Resources Management to Ensure Food Security", "ASEM Youth Week Against Poverty" and "Conference on Green Skills for Comprehensive and Sustainable Growth". Also at the conference, ASEM officially admitted Croatia and Kazakhstan. From 26 founding members, after 18 years ASEM has doubled in number with 53 members, representing about 62% of the world's population, 57% of GDP and about 68% of global trade.

Imprint of Vietnam's position and responsibility

The first notable point that needs to be mentioned is that at this forum on the cooperation process between the two continents of Asia and Europe, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was one of the first three leaders to give a keynote speech at the plenary session on global issues, continuing to contribute proposals and initiatives that are of common concern to most countries in the world (Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung gave a keynote speech as a representative of the ASEAN bloc). Also here, the Vietnamese Prime Minister was one of three senior Asian leaders invited to meet and dialogue with leading businesses from the two continents of Asia and Europe within the framework of the 14th Asia-Europe Business Forum. This shows that ASEM members highly appreciate the role, position, as well as Vietnam's ability to meet the great expectations set for ASEM 10. These are vivid evidences of ASEM members' recognition of the persuasiveness and effectiveness of Vietnam's foreign policy, the position of the head of the Vietnamese Government in foreign affairs, and in expressing views on solving issues that attract international attention.

At the 10th ASEM Conference, Vietnam not only affirmed its responsibility as a member and fulfilled its assigned obligations at the highest level, but also, through sideline meetings, promoted the parties to achieve the highest benefits created by the ASEM institution. A series of contacts, meetings and working sessions between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and heads of state and government of countries showed that Vietnam especially respects and promotes the advantages created by the ASEM forum. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his delegation had extensive contacts with ASEM member leaders and many of our important partners such as China, Japan, France, Italy, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Netherlands, Poland, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Luxembourg, Slovenia, etc.

Many of the meeting contents are of much greater nature and scope than a sideline meeting that is usually formal and diplomatic in nature. That is the meeting between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Chinese counterpart, Mr. Li Keqiang. In the context of Vietnam persistently fighting to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity against China's escalating actions violating the 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea and violating the common commitment frameworks between Vietnam and China on resolving issues of sovereignty over seas and islands, this meeting opens up the process of seeking opportunities to resolve disputes through peaceful negotiations.

Along with the effective working contents at the ASEM 10 Conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also visited the Kingdom of Belgium, the EU, the Federal Republic of Germany and the Vatican with good results. In particular, the visit to the Vatican and the meeting with Pope Francis were meaningful events during the Prime Minister's trip. Pope Francis highly appreciated Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements and the increasingly improved lives of the people; welcomed the successful implementation of the policy of freedom of belief and religion; and expressed his joy at the increasingly vibrant activities of Vietnamese Catholics. Pope Francis emphasized the need to better implement the direction of "living the Gospel in the heart of the nation", "good parishioners must be good citizens", "Vietnamese Catholics must accompany the Vietnamese people to build a prosperous and happy country", "Vietnamese Catholics must be patriots".

With the solemn receptions, talks, meetings, and exchanges in an open, sincere atmosphere, with profound and substantive content, the activities of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and the delegation at the recent ASEM 10 Conference and the European countries have truly created a new mark and position, a new height for Vietnam in the international arena!

Chi Linh Son