LookAtVietnam – Since joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995, Vietnam has been an active and responsible member and has made a significant contribution to the bloc’s development, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung confirmed

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

In 2008, he said trade value between Vietnam and other ASEAN countries rose to nearly US$30 billion, up 25 percent against in 2007. Currently, nearly 1,300 ASEAN-invested projects totalling more than US$44 billion are operating in Vietnam while Vietnamese businesses have poured US$2.6 billion into more than 200 projects in other ASEAN countries.

Vietnam has played an active role in setting the course for the bloc’s future development, by taking part in drawing up documents for building an ASEAN Community, including the Bali Concord II, the ASEAN Charter and a master plan for building the three pillars of the community, said Mr Dung.

The country is working closely with other regional members to boost cooperation and integration to realise the goal of building the ASEAN Community by 2015.

ASEAN-China ties

Talking about the relationship between ASEAN and China, the Vietnamese government leader noted that bilateral economic and trade cooperation has grown and flourished since the two established relations of dialogue and cooperation 18 years ago.

ASEAN is China’s fourth largest trade partner, making up 11.2 percent of its import value. China is also ASEAN’s fourth biggest trade partner. Its total foreign direct investment capital into ASEAN countries reached US$3 billion between 2003-07.

To increase their economic, trade, investment and tourism cooperation, the two sides are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on building an ASEAN-China centre to be located in Beijing during the 12th ASEAN + China meeting in Thailand this year. They will also sign an agreement, paving the way for the establishment of the ASEAN-China free trade area.

The two sides have jointly carried out cooperation programmes, with priority given to agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), human resources development, development in the greater Mekong subregion, transport, energy, culture, tourism, community health and the environment.

Bilateral cooperation in politics and security has constantly been enhanced through dialogues and forums such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), helping increase common awareness, build confidence, promote preventative diplomacy and strengthen military exchanges.

China and ASEAN have signed a series of agreements on cooperation in politics and security, including a Joint Statement on Cooperation in non-traditional security and a Joint Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

China was ASEAN’s first dialogue partner to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 2003 and is willing to join the protocol on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ). ASEAN welcomes China’s viewpoint on security, which envisions mutual trust, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation.

“I believe that relations between ASEAN and China will further develop in future, contributing to cooperation for peace, stability and development in the region and becoming an exemplary role model for relations between ASEAN and other partners,” said Mr Dung.

Response to global crisis

Mr Dung said like other countries Vietnam is suffering the negative effects of the global economic crisis, especially in terms of exports, foreign investment attraction and tourism.

“To prevent the economic slowdown and maintain steady growth, Vietnam is going ahead with the major solutions it’s adopted, focusing on boosting production and business activity, stimulating investment and market demand, implementing flexible and effective financial and monetary policies, ensuring social welfare and promoting poverty reduction programmes.”

“At the same time, we are employing measures to create the prerequisites for sustainable development in the coming years, including boosting and increasing the effectiveness of international integration, quickly finalising the legal system, accelerating administrative reform, combating corruption, speeding up basic infrastructure — especially transport and energy –, developing human resources for hi-tech industries and protecting the environment.”

According to Mr Dung, in 2008 Vietnam reined in runaway inflation, stabilised the macro economy and ensured social welfare with a GDP growth rate of 6.2 percent. Notably, its exports increased by 30 percent and foreign direct investment capital reached US$64 billion, triple the figure of 2007.

Despite numerous difficulties in the first quarter of this year, Vietnam achieved a GDP growth rate of 3.1 percent and sustained the macro economy. The figure is expected to rise to 5 percent for the whole year.

“As an ASEAN member, Vietnam is willing to cooperate with other countries within the frameworks of ASEAN and ASEAN +3 to cope with the negative effects of the global recession,” said Mr Dung. “Vietnam hopes that the international community, especially developed nations, will support underdeveloped and developing nations in coping with and tackling the effects of the current crisis.”

VietNamNet/VOV