The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a flag-hoisting ceremony in Ha Noi on August 8 to mark the 51^st founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The annual flag-raising ceremony on the occasion of ASEAN establishment anniversary aims to promote solidarity, friendship, and cooperation in ASEAN for the sake of regional peace and prosperity (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the event, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said 51 years ago on August 8, 1967, ASEAN leaders laid a foundation for the establishment of a peaceful and prosperous community of Southeast Asian nations.

“It is the ASEAN Community of solidarity, self-reliance, mutual assistance and sharing, of the people and for the people,” he said.
 
Each member of the ASEAN Community, which was established 3 years ago, is sparing no effort to realise its vision to 2025, which is ensuring peace, security and self-reliance in the long run with a dynamic, competitive and highly integrated economy, and building a community based on a strong sense of cohesion and common identity, Mr Minh said.

He added that ASEAN member states could be proud of the community’s initial positive outcomes, which is the establishment of a community of peace and stability with a dynamic economy and strong population of over 630 million people, which pays due attention to social responsibilities and benefits of people, he added.

The central role, solidarity, voice and influence of the community have become stronger with the expansion of multi-faceted relations with power countries, regional and global partners, to realise the common goal of peace, stability and equal and sustainable development, he stressed.

The Deputy PM said Vietnam considers ASEAN a priority in its external policy and the country’s 23 year of membership in the bloc is closely associated with important milestones in its regional and international integration process.

Vietnam will continue working with other member nations to implement effectively the ASEAN Community Vision to 2025 in the spirit of solidarity, dynamism, and creativity and with the extensive involvement and active contributions of people from all social strata, he affirmed.

The annual flag-raising ceremony on the occasion of ASEAN establishment anniversary aims to promote solidarity, friendship, and cooperation in ASEAN for the sake of regional peace and prosperity.

ASEAN groups 10 member countries namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

(Source: VNA)