Vietnam is a very important country in ASEAN and in the region, said the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs Scot Marciel, at a press conference on February 25.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Ambassador for ASEAN Affairs Scot Marciel.

Scot Marciel stopped in Hanoi on February 25 on his way to Hua Hin, Thailand, to attend the 14^th ASEAN Summit.

Speaking to the press, the Ambassador confirmed that the US supports the role of Vietnam in ASEAN and its continuing assistance to ASEAN to help the association realize its development goals.

He said ASEAN is very significant to the US and the US is trying to develop good relations with ASEAN as a block.

He welcomed Vietnam’s appointment of its Ambassador to ASEAN and supported Vietnam’s role as the Chairman of ASEAN in 2010. The Ambassador also appreciated the goal to establish the ASEAN economic community by 2015

During one day in Vietnam, Marciel met with Vietnamese diplomats and representatives of the private sector. He said he and Vietnamese diplomats discussed the strengthening of diplomatic representative agencies in the two countries.

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