Hanoi (VNA) - ꧒ Vietnam will send out important messages about ASEAN and the future of the bloc at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings in Vientiane from October 8-11, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet has said.

In an interview granted to the press on the threshold of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation’s trip to Laos to attend the events, the diplomat stressed that Vietnam stands ready to contribute to and make concerted efforts for the success of the summits, ASEAN’s most important series of high-level meetings in the year, which will draw the participation of leaders from the ASEAN member states, Timor-Leste, partners, and representatives from regional and international organsiations. According to Viet, also head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, the country will put forth cooperation orientations for the bloc at the events, with priorities to collaboration in the potential areas towards green, digital, and sustainable trends. 2024 marks a turning point of ASEAN as the bloc is working to complete its general plans for 2025 and making preparations for a new development period until 2045, he said, highlighting in the face of rapid, strong, and extensive changes of the era, ASEAN’s new development strategies are expected to push the regional cooperation and connectivity towards innovation, creativity, and action, including adopting new thoughts and approaches to capitalise on opportunities and to effectively respond to fluctuations, making breakthroughs and promoting leading and pioneering role in the regional cooperation processes. Vietnam will also deliver a message on re-positioning the role of ASEAN in the international arena, Viet underlined, saying that the events, taking place two weeks after the UN’s Summit of the Future, will contribute to affirming and spreading the values and significance of multilateralism in the current context. He added that with the success of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 in Hanoi, Vietnam promoted its bridging role to convey the bloc’s recommendations and proposals to UN summit, thereby connecting the priorities of the region with those of the globe. With the achievements it has obtained over the past nearly six decades, ASEAN is able to engage deeper and make further contributions to the global issues, he stated. Regarding Vietnam’s contributions to ASEAN cooperation over years, Viet said that the country has affirmed itself as a responsible member with its role and voice having been increasingly respected since it joined the bloc nearly 30 years ago. Adhering closely to the Party's foreign policy, Vietnam has contributed more to ASEAN and take a proactive role in the bloc’s collective efforts, he stated, highlighting the country has worked closely with and supported Laos to successfully perform the role as an ASEAN Chair, thus strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Vietnam has carried out key contents and priorities proposed by Laos which are in accordance with ASEAN and the region’s concerns, from building strategies for the new development period, consolidating ASEAN’s central role, and connecting economies to promoting cooperation in environment and culture. He went on to say that Vietnam has joined hands with countries to complete the general plans for 2025 and develop the bloc's strategic cooperation by 2045 while consolidating ASEAN’s solidarity and unity amidst rapid and complicated developments in the world. In the spirit of constructive dialogue and goodwill, Vietnam has played a bridging role to iron out the differences and harmonise the interests of ASEAN member countries, contributing to building and strengthening consensus within the bloc on many important issues. Concluding the interview, Viet expressed his hope that under the leadership of Laos, the summits and related meetings will come to a success, helping affirm ASEAN’s stature in the region and the world and making the bloc into a more connected and resilient community./.