The press conference on the 36th ASEAN Summit. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and General Secretary of theNational ASEAN 2020 Committee Nguyen Quoc Dung spoke of the organisation of theupcoming 36th ASEAN Summit as well as topics to be tabled fordiscussion at the meeting, during a press conference in Hanoi on June 23.
Notingthat ASEAN has wanted to increase online meetings for years to cut travel andorganisation costs but yet to realize it, Dung said the COVID-19 pandemic hasforced the bloc’s member countries to do it this year, which took placeeffectively.
Accordingto him, the difference in time zone is the biggest challenge in holding videoconferences with ASEAN partners, such as the upcoming meetings within theEast-Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) with theparticipation of 27 countries, including those from North America andAustralia.
Asfor issues to be discussed at the summit, Deputy FM Dung said ASEAN leaderswill seek ways to increase intra-bloc trade, adding that the COVID-19 pandemichas reminded the member countries to optimise their domestic markets and theASEAN market.
Regardinglabour movement, the Deputy Minister said ASEAN is optimistic that legalframeworks and agreements within the bloc will ensure adequate conditions forlabour movement inside the bloc.
Mentioningthe Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Dung stressed that thedeal is a priority of ASEAN and its negotiation partners. He said except for Indiathat has temporarily withdrawn from the negotiations, the remainingparticipants are resolved to sign the deal this year.
TheDeputy FM also said intensified strategic competition between the US and China,and among powers is posing many challenges to not only the ASEAN but also theworld as a whole. Dung affirmed that ASEAN will not take sides and has its ownstance on regional and international issues.
Citingthe issuance of the “ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific” under which the blochas expressed its viewpoints on the region as well as its principles, he saidthat is the way for ASEAN to maintain its central role in the region.
“Ibelieve that this spirit will be upheld at the 36th ASEAN Summit,slated for June 26, as well as at the 37th summit in November,” hesaid./.
VNA
