Washington D.C (VNA) – US Secretary ofState Mike Pompeo on September 11 issueda press statement affirming the enduring commitment to the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

In the statement, Pompeo said Americahas long been a friend to ASEAN countries. TheASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy share arespect for sovereignty, the rule of law, transparency, openness, andinclusivity. These shared principles form the core of the US work with ASEAN and are the basis for thisweek’s launch of the Mekong-US Partnership. The US reiterates its support for ASEAN as the bloc speaks with a strong, collective voice toadvance these shared values.

According to the Secretary of State, atthe ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers’ meeting recently, he reaffirmed US support for ASEAN’s role atthe heart of the Indo-Pacific. The US underscored its commitment to speak out against escalatingaggression and threats to sovereign nations’ ability to make free choices.

The US stands with its ASEAN partners and persists with the rule of law andrespect for sovereignty in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) where there have been aggressive campaigns of coercion and environmental devastation.

The US affirmed its support for transparencyand respect in the Mekong region as well as open and rules-based economic growth. “TheUS stands with our ASEANpartners in combating COVID-19 and enabling regional economic recovery.Building on the US-ASEAN Health Futures initiative and the over 87 million USD in US government assistance to fightCOVID-19, including the delivery so far of 850 ventilators to Indonesia and 100to the Philippines, we are announcing additional USAID support for One HealthWorkforce-Next Generation to help ASEAN countries prepare for, prevent, detect,and respond to public health emergencies. Additionally, the US Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expanding its engagement through a newCDC regional office in Hanoi and the US-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership islaunching initiatives in health, along with new agreements in water managementand transportation,” the statement wrote.

To continue to promote economic prosperityin the region, the US,through the US Development Finance Corporation, is investing in neededinfrastructure. The US will also co-host with Vietnam the third Indo-Pacific Business Forum to fostermillions of dollars in US investment in an open, transparent, and rules-based manner.

To promote human capital development andprovide people with skills and knowledge to participate and compete in theglobal economy, the US Department of State intends to provide 5 million USD for the new Young Southeast Asian LeadersInitiative (YSEALI) Academy at Fulbright University Vietnam (FUV) in Ho ChiMinh City.

According to the statement, as the US expands its strategic partnership with ASEAN, the US must also address some of the criticalchallenges facing the region. The US continues tourge the DPRK to end provocations, abide by its obligations under the UNSCRs,and engage in sustained negotiations to achieve complete denuclearization. The US expresses concerns over the continued violence inBurma’s Rakhine State and call for a cessation of fighting, negotiatedsolution, and deepened efforts to address root causes of violence to facilitatethe dignified, safe, voluntary, and sustainable return of IDPs and refugees./.