The 16th ASEAN Summit will focus on three issues: strengthening unity, coping with global challenges and promoting cooperation between ASEAN and its partners.

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Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung, General Secretary of the National ASEAN Committee 2010, spoke about the summit’s goals at a press conference in Hanoi on March 30. He and Assistant to the Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh accepted questions by local and international journalists.

The ASEAN summit will take place in Hanoi from the afternoon of April 8 to the morning of April 9. ASEAN leaders will approve two important documents: a joint declaration on economic recovery and sustainable development and a declaration on climate change. Preparatory meetings will be held from April 5-8 to review the agenda.

Ministers and high-ranking officials of ASEAN nations will participate to finalize the construction of the ASEAN Community by 2015.

Vinh commented that ASEAN would focus on promoting a macro-economic association for sustainable and combining policies in the region to contribute to the Group 20’s efforts to combat the global financial and economic crisis.

Vinh also added that ASEAN leaders would discuss a national regional action plan to cope with climate change.

As for the South China Sea conflict, Vinh noted that ASEAN-China relations is a strategic partnership and pointed to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea as the legal document to build trust between them.

As for Myanmar and Thailand, Vinh said that as Chair of ASEAN 2010, Vietnam respects the two countries’ internal affairs and hopes the two countries will have stability and amicably settle their affairs.

PV