The 31^st ASEAN Summit opened in the Philippine capital of Manila on Monday with the agenda focusing on peace, stability and cooperation.

The 31st ASEAN Summit opened in Manila on Monday (Photo VNA)

Leaders from 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are scheduled to discuss measures to develop the ASEAN Community and affirm its position in the global economy.

Related meetings will be held after the summit, including the 20^th Meeting of the ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea); separate ASEAN meetings with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, the US, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations; and the 12^th East Asia Summit (EAS).

A Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Manila on Sunday to participate in the aforesaid meetings.

On this occasion, the PM will also attend the ninth Mekong-Japan Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders’ Meeting.

The ASEAN Summit is the most important event of the bloc this year with the participation of leaders from the 10 member countries and ASEAN partners.

As many as 55 documents are expected to be signed and adopted at the meetings.  The Philippines will also issue nine declarations of the Chairs of the summits.

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

(Source: VNA)