LookAtVietnam – The National Committee for ASEAN 2010 held its first meeting in the capital city on July 8 under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

The National Committee for ASEAN 2010 held its first meeting in the capital city on July 8. (Photo: VNN)

As chair, Viet Nam will host two major summits - the ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Summit plus dialogue partners - and many meetings for senior officials and ministers.

“The role of ASEAN Chairman has a great significance for Viet Nam as it will help raise the country’s prestige and profile within ASEAN and the world as a whole,” said Khiem.

He said Viet Nam would do all it could to make sure the summits and related meetings are a great success and to fully implement ASEAN activities in accordance with the ASEAN Charter, which came into force on December 15, 2008.

To prepare for the event, Khiem asked ministries and sectors to be proactive in implementing their assigned missions.

Under the Prime Minister’s decision, the National Committee has five sub-committees and a secretariat, which will meet once every three months in 2009 and more intensively in 2010.

At the request of participants, Khiem agreed to include representatives from additional agencies, including the Ha Noi People’s Committee, in the sub committees and increase the number of meetings between sub-committees.

“In the immediate future, all sub-committees should focus on developing an agenda and choosing a venue for each meeting, as well as yearly initiatives to submit to the Prime Minister for approval,” Khiem said.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News