Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is proud to be a dynamicand responsible member of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) over the past morethan two decadeಌs, leaving significant imprints in the forum’s history siꦗnce itsfounding in 1996, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.

In an article written ahead of Prime Minister Nguyen XuanPhuc’s attendance in the 12th ASEM Summit (ASEM 12) in Brussels, Belgium,on October 18-19, the Deputy FM stressed that Vietnam’s joining in ASEM as afounding member in 1996 marked an important step in the country’s foreign policyon multilaterisation and diversification of relations and internationalintegration. He recalled that Vietnam successfully organised the fifthASEM Summit in 2004 and five ministers’ meetings. The country also proposed 24initiatives and co-sponsored 27 others in the ASEM framework. A noteworthyexample is the first cooperative mechanism in water resources management whichwas initiated by Vietnam and countries in the Mekong and Danube river basins in2011. The active participation in ASEM and close cooperation withother ASEM members have brought about practical benefits for Vietnam. Among 28 ASEMmembers, 22 are strategic partners and comprehensive partners of Vietnam. In combination,they account for 70 percent of the country’s foreign direct investment andforeign trade value, as well as 80 percent of foreign tourists. ASEN membersare also involved in 14 out of 16 free trade agreements that Vietnam has signedor is negotiating on. Such figures demonstrate the significance of ASEM members toVietnam’s economy, the Deputy FM said. In the context of unstable situation in the region and theworld and complicated competition among world powers, Vietnam has coordinatedwith ASEM members to have more members join in preserving peace, security andstability for development and raise voice to support the country’s just stancein defending territorial sovereignty and promoting the settlement of disputesby peaceful means based on international law and common principles andstandards. At the ASEM 12, Vietnam will continue to propose ideas, thuscontributing to the event’s success and promoting the Asia-Europe partnershipin a more dynamic, pragmatic and effective manner. According to Deputy FM Son, the ASEM 12 is considered anopportunities for leaders from the two continents to hold open andstraightforward discussions on economic and finance issues along with arisingproblems in the regions and the world. The leaders are expected to outline thedirection and specific measures to create a new driving force for theAsia-Europe partnership, thus contributing to maintaining peace, security andstability in the region and the world, promoting sustainable and inclusivedevelopment, and more effectively responding to global challenges. The summit is also expected to deliver a strong messageabout a responsible ASEM capable of adapting to the new situation, leading inpromoting multilateral cooperation and building a more effective, fair anddemocratic global governance mechanism.-VNA