Deputy Foreign Minister explains why the US-ASEAN Summit is called ‘special’

Immediately after the end of the ASEAN-US Special Summit, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, former Ambassador of Vietnam to the US, gave an interview to the press.

New era in cooperation between ASEAN – US

* How does the Deputy Minister evaluate the meaning and results of the ASEAN-US Special Summit?

Deputy Minister Ha Ngoc: As the name suggests, this ASEAN-US Special Summit has special significance.

Firstly, this is the 45th anniversary of the ASEAN-US dialogue partnership, which is held directly after a 5-year hiatus, demonstrating the strong determination and efforts of the US, and at the same time a vivid demonstration of shows that both ASEAN and the US attach great importance and strong commitment to promoting this partnership.

The conference is also an opportunity for leaders of the two sides to set out orientations to elevate the partnership, contributing to peace, stability and development in each side, in the region and in the world. world.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc Chinhphu.vn

Secondly, this is the first time that exchanges and meetings have taken place between the leaders of ASEAN countries and the leaders of the National Assembly, Vice President, ministers in the Biden administration, enterprisea large US corporation, it shows that all US circles attach great importance to, strongly commit to and support the development of ASEAN – US relations.

The outstanding outcome of the meeting was the issuance of the ASEAN-US Joint Vision Statement in which the leaders of ASEAN and the US highly agreed on a number of major orientations as follows:

First of all, the two sides affirmed their commitment to establish relations ASEAN – US comprehensive strategic partnership meaningful, effective and mutually beneficial, opening a new era in cooperation between ASEAN and the US.

Second, prioritize supply chain stability, maritime cooperation, health security, education, human resource developmentinnovative and creative science and technology, promoting digital transformation, responding to climate change, energy transition, green and sustainable development…

On this occasion, President Biden announced an initiative package of more than 150 million USD, creating an important foundation and premise to promote and support to attract more billions of dollars of investment from the private sector in the fields of law. cooperation that both parties are interested in and benefit from.

Third, the two sides affirmed their importance to each other’s positions and roles. President Biden reaffirmed his commitment to support and respect the central role of ASEAN, and look forward to working with ASEAN to raise the partnership to a new level, joining hands to effectively deal with challenges arising in the region.

For its part, ASEAN continues to consider the US as its most important partner, and hopes that the US will continue to actively participate, effectively contribute to regional cooperation, and contribute to maintaining peace, security and common prosperity. in the region, in accordance with international law.

Prime minister Pham Minh Chinh and US President Joe Biden at the White House Yangjiang

Fourth, the conference also spent time discussing regional and global issues, agreeing to make efforts to ensure peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. including the East Sea, peaceful settlement of disputes, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, promoting a favorable environment for early negotiations to reach a Code of Conduct. The arbitration proceedings (COC) in the East Sea are substantive, effective and consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Priority is given to restoring trade and investment flows

* Could the Deputy Minister tell us about the participation and contribution of the Vietnamese delegation at the ASEAN-US Special Summit?

– The high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh participated actively, actively, made important and responsible contributions to the overall success of the conference, both in discussion as well as in document development. .

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended and spoke at all activities within the framework of the conference, sharing views on the development orientation of ASEAN-US relations and the international and regional situation, which was accepted by other countries. very highly appreciated.

Regarding the future orientation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized:

One is to ensure peace, maintaining stability must be considered a top concern. Countries need to join hands to cooperate, share responsibilities, control disagreements, uphold the rule of law, and contribute to realizing a world of peace, stability and prosperous development.

ASEAN and the US together with other partners and ASEAN/the parties should work together to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, in the spirit of abiding by the law. international law, exercise restraint, do not use force, avoid unilateral actions, further complicate the situation, erode trust among nations, peacefully settle disputes on the basis of international law. international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and at the same time speeding up negotiations to achieve a substantive and effective COC in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.

The US, like other major countries and partners, support the central role of ASEAN, coordinate to strengthen and strengthen cooperation frameworks chaired by ASEAN; substantive, effective dialogue and full consultation with ASEAN in the spirit of sincerity, trust, responsibility and respect for the law.

The second is to prioritize restoring trade and investment flows. Vietnam will best support US investors and businesses to quickly expand business in Vietnam, connecting with the potential ASEAN market; requesting the US to support ASEAN in green and sustainable development, economic restructuring, digital transformation, development of renewable and environmentally friendly energy, accelerating comprehensive and sustainable recovery; expected the US to promote cooperation within the framework of the Mekong – US Partnership, contributing to ensuring the region’s harmonious development, development quality, and supporting equitable and sustainable development in the region.

Third, there is a need for a global approach to solving global problems; ASEAN wishes the US to continue to cooperate and support ASEAN countries in ensuring health security, improving health capacity, sharing experiences, Technology transfer vaccine production, effectively responding to other non-traditional security challenges, such as environmental degradation, climate change, environmental protection, digital transformation, energy transition, green economic development and sustainability, food security, energy security, water security…

In addition, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Vietnamese delegation, official union members met with President Biden, met with officials, leaders of the US Government and Congress, representatives of business leaders, large American corporations, academia, the community Vietnamese in the US as well as having bilateral meetings with a number of ASEAN leaders to discuss and promote bilateral relations and issues of mutual concern.

On the afternoon of May 11, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh gave a speech at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), conveying the message of sincerity, trust and responsibility in international cooperation to solve the problem. Solving problems whether big or small, rich or poor, must join hands and affirm Vietnam stand on the side of justice, on the right side, on the side of international law, do not choose sides.

Those messages have been highly appreciated by the political world, academia, and the diplomatic corps.

Thank you Sir!