(VNF) - Vietnam has seen a rapid and strong growth reflected in its GDP over the years. The country is also one of the largest and most dynamic economies in ASEAN region.

Vietnam has seen a rapid and strong growth reflected in its GDP over the years.

Singaporean Ambassador to France, Zainal Arif Mantaha, said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency in Paris on the occasion of the "ASEAN Family Day" held on July 29 in Paris.

According to Zainal Arif Mantaha, Vietnam has achieved high growth in many areas, especially in new areas such as digital economics. He was really impressed by the great efforts and active contribution of Vietnam to the process of building and strengthening ASEAN cooperation. Over time, Vietnam has played an increasingly important role in the development of the association.

For the past 50 years since ASEAN was founded, he said the community has made a significant contribution to the stability and harmony in the region, promoting the cooperation of the whole of Southeast Asia. At the same time, ASEAN has introduced consultation and dialogue mechanisms as a mode of operation not only among the 10 members but also between the Association and international organizations. ASEAN has established substantive relations with key partner and international organizations.

Also, ASEAN has created a favorable environment for the socio-economic development of all member nations. This environment has helped countries to enrich themselves and gain more experience thanks to the socio-economic persity of the bloc.

On what needs to be done in the near future, he said that what ASEAN has done in the last 50 years is fundamental. It is this platform that will help ASEAN to strengthen cooperation and further development in the future. He rejoiced at ASEAN's rise, especially the formation of a unified community by 2015, based on the three pillars of politics, security, economy and socio-culture.

Ambassador Mantaha said that whole ASEAN is directly affected by South China Sea issues, viewed from geographical perspective. Although not all ASEAN countries have a common view on territorial disputes, member countries agree that differences need to be resolved on the basis of respect for international law and by peaceful means.

He affirmed that ASEAN countries always believed in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and its framework regulations. He expressed his support for the freedom of navigation and the peaceful use of sea transport in Southeast Asia, which is considered one of the lifeline of international maritime transport. He also believes that ASEAN countries will do everything possible to fulfill their commitment to regional stability and peace./.

Ngoc Tran