Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh stressed the point in his article written on occasion of the 52nd ASEAN founding anniversary.

Since its inception over half of a century ago, ASEAN has grown and become more resilient and solid despite numerous upheavals, which has proved that key to the bloc’s success and strength grounded in the solidarity of the member countries as one, Minh highlighted.

Amid complicated developments in the region and the world, he called on ASEAN to stand firm to maintain solidarity and unity while strengthening economic power as well as its capacity to respond to emerging challenges in a proactive and prompt manner.

Minh said Viet Nam will have an opportunity to further consolidate its international position as it will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship role and the non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council in 2020.

One of Viet Nam’s top priorities next year would be working with ASEAN countries to successfully realize the goals enshrined in the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, Deputy PM, FM Minh affirmed.

The year 2020 will also offer a chance for Viet Nam to further foster bilateral cooperation with other ASEAN member countries and partners and promote the image of the Vietnamese culture and people.

To make it true, Viet Nam needs to mobilize support and concensus from all ASEAN member countries, and friends and partners of ASEAN as well as involvement of all ministries, agencies, localities, businesses and people.

Minh said that preparations for the ASEAN Chairmanship Year have been undertaken actively under the leadership of the National Committee for ASEAN 2020 in order to build the ASEAN Community of solidarity and cohesion./.