Hanoi (VNA) – In his article marking ASEAN’s 41 st founding anniversary (August 8), Khiem said Vietnam ’s efforts have helped encourage solidarity and cooperation as well as increase the association’s international prestige.

He added other ASEAN members and outside partners have all recognised Vietnam as an active member and its important contributions to the growth of the grouping.

“In return, Vietnam has gained numerous fruitful and practical benefits from the country’s ASEAN experiences in favour of the goals for national security and development as well as increasing the country’s international prestige,” Khiem said.

He reiterated Vietnam ’s stand in favour of an ASEAN of close alliance, solidarity and great unity with a high international prestige.

He said the orientation of ASEAN development has met the major and long-term goal of Vietnam , an integral part of Southeast Asia .

ASEAN has always had an important position in Vietnam ’s external policy which calls for independence, self-determination, diversification and international and regional integration, he said.

Khiem called for greater efforts in joining with other member countries to build an ASEAN Community by 2015 and make the ASEAN charter a reality.

“We should be more active, take initiative and bear greater responsibility in relations with ASEAN,” he said.

He urged participating agencies to further reform and renew their structure, work style and staff quality so as to increase the efficiency of cooperation within ASEAN.

Khiem emphasised the need to clearly identify responsibilities as well as foster close coordination among relevant ministries and agencies, especially the Foreign Ministry’s coordinating role, when participating in ASEAN operations.

Campaigns to raise public awareness on ASEAN and the country’s role were also of primary importance, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.

He also called for immediate preparations for the country to be sworn into the ASEAN chairmanship by 2010, that would include the convention of the ASEAN Summit and numerous ministerial meetings.
ASEAN has been the leading factor in maintaining an environment of peace, security and cooperation in Southeast Asia and efficiently supporting security and development objectives of each member country as well as the whole association, Khiem stressed.

He attributed ASEAN’s successes over the past 41 years to the sharing of basic benefits as well as vision and strong political determination and tireless efforts by member countries.

“The fact shows that ASEAN is a regional cooperation organisation that is full of vitality and adaptable to changes in the world situation,” he noted.

The Deputy PM went on to say that despite many difficulties and challenges, ASEAN still eyes favourable premises to successfully implement its community building goal.

“That is the result of the regional cooperation over the past four decades and member countries’ common vision and strong political determination in line with the association’s sound decisions and roadmap,” he emphasised.

The ASEAN Charter will bring in a remarkable change in the association’s organisational apparatus and modality of operation, helping improve the quality and effectiveness of ASEAN cooperation.

“We have good reason to believe that ASEAN will achieve its great objectives set for the new stage of development,” Khiem said.