Prime Minister welcomes ASEAN Community

(Baonghean.vn)- On December 31, on the occasion of the official establishment of the ASEAN Community, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivered a speech on this important event. Nghe An Newspaper would like to introduce the full text of the Prime Minister's speech.

Video clip of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung welcoming the ASEAN Community:

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung delivers a speech at the moment the ASEAN Community was established. Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, at the moment of transition from the old year to the new year 2016, together with the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), we are delighted to welcome the birth of the ASEAN Community of more than 600 million people with dynamic economies, a total GDP of 2,600 billion USD and a diverse cultural community, rich in identity and tradition. This is a historical milestone in the process of regional integration in Southeast Asia, demonstrating the common awareness and determination of ASEAN member countries in raising the relationship of integration and cooperation to a new level, for the common benefit of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Overcoming ups and downs and differences, the ASEAN Community 2015 today is the common home of the big family of Southeast Asian nations. ASEAN has matured and grown, achieving many great achievements after nearly 50 years of development for the goal of peace and prosperity of the countries in the region and is promoting deep and extensive connectivity on all three pillars of politics-security, economy and socio-culture. Overcoming the challenges of the development process, ASEAN has brought important and practical benefits to member countries and strongly affirmed the value of solidarity, consensus and unity of the Community. ASEAN's central role in the region, especially the security structure, has received the participation, cooperation and support of the international community, especially ASEAN's Dialogue Partners, including the world's leading powers.

With the awareness that building the ASEAN Community is a continuous and long-term process, ASEAN has set out the 2025 Vision, affirming the determination of all member countries to continue to consolidate and deepen ASEAN connectivity, build an ASEAN Community that operates according to the law, is truly people-oriented, best ensures the rights and interests of the people, has open relations with partners, and has an increasingly important role and position both regionally and globally.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As a member since 1995, Vietnam has actively participated in building a strong ASEAN, contributing to the realization of the idea of ​​forming a cohesive ASEAN community with 10 members being Southeast Asian countries. Joining ASEAN is a strategic decision, marking an important first milestone in implementing the policy of multilateralization, diversification of foreign relations and implementing the international integration process of Vietnam. In 20 years of accompanying ASEAN, with the motto of "proactive, active and responsible participation", Vietnam has seriously fulfilled its commitments and obligations as a member, making many important contributions to the development and growth of ASEAN, which have been recognized and highly appreciated by countries in and outside the region. At the same time, the great achievements in the cause of Innovation, socio-economic development and the increasingly enhanced international position of Vietnam are also important contributions to the strength and elevation of ASEAN's position.

In the coming time, to successfully integrate into the ASEAN Community with a greater national status, Vietnam must strongly promote its internal strength and creativity; work together to overcome all difficulties and challenges; take advantage of favorable opportunities for rapid and sustainable development, bringing practical benefits to the people. Vietnam will seriously implement its integration commitments and cooperate with member countries to successfully implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Welcoming the official formation of the ASEAN Community and on the occasion of the New Year 2016, on behalf of the Government and people of Vietnam, I would like to send my best wishes to the Governments and peoples of ASEAN member countries.

I believe that with the joint efforts of all of us, the ASEAN Community will grow stronger and stronger, bringing great benefits to the people and member states, and playing an increasingly important role in peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Thanks.

PV (synthesis)