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On November 24, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dung attended the dialogue with the ASEAN Chair as part of the 4th ASEAN Media Forum (AMF), Baoquocte reported.

The dialogue also saw the attendance of representatives from the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, the German Ambassador to Vietnam, representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, and regional and international media agencies.

On November 24, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam Nguyen Quoc Dung attended the dialogue with the ASEAN Chair as part of the 4th ASEAN Media Forum (AMF) Photo: Baoquocte

Speaking at the Dialogue, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasized that the spirit of “Cohesion and Proactive Adaptation” in building the ASEAN community has been maintained. ASEAN has joined hands to effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic via the timely implementation of regional initiatives such as the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, the Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, and the ASEAN Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies.

Dung affirmed that in spite of difficulties and challenges, ASEAN cooperation in 2020 has achieved positive results. All set goals and plans have been completed and the bloc’s central role ASEAN has been reinforced. Such outcomes have set a solid foundation for the ASEAN's development in the next stage as well as contributed to sustaining peace, stability, and recovery in the region.

Representatives from the regional and international media agencies lauded Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN chairmanship in leading the bloc to surmount the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and give priorities meeting the demands of the member countries and partners like developing human resources and social work as well as enhancing the identity and image of the community.

Regional and international media highly appreciate Vietnam’s 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship Photo: Baoquocte

The delegates shared the view that stepping up the economic and regional connectivity was also one of the outstanding achievements of Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship Year. The conclusion of the negotiation and signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) indicated ASEAN's strong commitment to promoting an open and multilateral trade system based on rules. Measures helping ASEAN to take up opportunities brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolution were also effectively carried out in 2020.

Concerning regional and international affairs, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung reiterated the ASEAN's stance from the statement of ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the occasion of the 53rd anniversary of the bloc on sustaining a peaceful, secure, neutral, and stable Southeast Asia region promoting mutual trust, respects international law and pursues a balanced approach in partnerships. He added that the stance has been firmly maintained in 2020.

Dung stressed that the theme of the ASEAN 2020 Year expresses Vietnam's desire to build a cohesive ASEAN community that actively adapts to challenges and looks forwards to comprehensive recovery. He also affirmed the need to promote "Think Community and Act Community” message for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development in the region.

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