Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – The ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee (ACJCC) held its 8th meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat’s headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia onFebruary 25.
Head of Vietnam's delegation to ASEAN, Ambassador Tran Duc Binh attended the meeting.
At the meeting, the ASEAN and Canada welcomed the positive outcomes intheir cooperation over the past time, especially the launch of all action linesunder the Plan of Action to implement the Joint Declaration on ASEAN-CanadaEnhanced Partnership in 2016-2020.
The ASEAN appreciated Canada’s commitments to the region, and askedCanada to continue supporting the ASEAN’s central role in the regionalstructure, as well as in bolstering economic integration and implementing theMaster Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and the Initiativefor ASEAN Integration (IAI) Work Plan – third phase.
Thebloc also called for ASEAN’s help in building quality infrastructure, promotingthe ASEAN’s Smart Cities Network, granting scholarships, developing humanresources, managing natural disasters, providing humanitarian aid, enhancingwomen’s role in peacekeeping and security, and people-to-people exchange.
The Canadian side affirmed that it attaches importance to cooperation withthe ASEAN, which it considers a priority in external policy.
Canada pledged to continue support ASEAN in building the ASEANCommunity, implementing the MPAC and IAI, while noting the wish to upgrade itspartnership with the bloc, build an ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement, andparticipate in and contribute to such mechanisms as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus), East Asia Summit (EAS), Expanded ASEAN MaritimeForum (EAMF), for peace, security and prosperity in the region.
Canada alsoannounced a plan to establish the ASEAN-Canada Cooperation Fund to carry outprojects and cooperation activities in the time ahead.
On the direction for their partnership, the two sides agreed to work togetheron all three pillars of politics-security, economics and culture-society, withfocus on fighting cross-border terrorism and crime; trade-investment; micro,small and medium enterprises; science-technology; cyber security; connectivity;smart city; climate change and natural disaster control; disease prevention;education; promotion and protection of the rights of women, children andmigrant workers.
The two sides also concurred to coordinate to finalise the ASEAN-CanadaPlan of Action for 2021-2025 to submit to the ASEAN-Canada Ministerial Meetingslated for early August this year for approval./.
