He said leaders of all member states had adopted a roadmap for building an ASEAN community by 2015, based on the pillars of political, economic and socio-cultural co-operation.

Dung asserted that ASEAN and its partners had stepped up cooperation by drawing up long-term programs to address global challenges such as the economic and financial crises, epidemics, natural disasters and climate change.

He said Vietnam attaches great importance to increasing cooperation within the Southeast Asian region and considers ASEAN an important plank of its foreign policy.

The country has taken part in the ASEAN cooperation process with a proactive and responsible spirit for the sake of peace, stability and development in the region and other parts of the world, he said.

Since joining the group in July 1995, Vietnam has made substantial contributions to the association’s solidarity and development, Dung said.

It was a great honor and a big task for Vietnam to assume presidency of the grouping next year, he noted.

He said the country would try to fulfill its obligations as a testimony to Vietnam’s commitment to make a positive contribution to the continued growth of ASEAN.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Source: VOV