The summit was held on June 26 via video conference with the participation of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, ASEAN Chair 2020, and ASEAN leaders and partners.
Proving the community’s power during the COVID-19 pandemic
During an international press conference following the event, when asked about regional cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the pandemic has spread worldwide. There are over 130,000 infections and nearly 4,000 deaths in the region. The bloc took drastic and rapid action in a cohesive and responsive spirit. This included holding the ASEAN summit and the ASEAN 3 summit, and ASEAN meetings with their partners. They also initiated the establishment of a COVID-19 response fund, a medical warehouse and a standard process that were applauded by the community both inside and outside the region.
As a result, the ASEAN member states gradually curbed the pandemic and are striving to build the community, he said. The bloc has proved the power of its community to overcome unprecedented difficulties for the sake of common peace, stability and prosperity.
ASEAN is working toward win-win cooperation and development
Regarding the impacts on Vietnam and ASEAN’s economic recovery following COVID-19 when the US and China – two major economic and trade partners of ASEAN, are competing geo-politically and economically, Prime Minister Phuc said that the ASEAN and China as well as the US have bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation frameworks, which lay an important foundation for them to strengthen economic links.
ASEAN always strives for mutually-beneficial cooperation for regional peace and future development of partners, including China and the US, he said. Fighting COVID-19 and economic recovery are two major tasks for the common interest of the international community, the US and China.
The prime minister expected that China and the US would optimize similarities, overcome differences, build trust and bolster collaboration for the common interests of the region and the world.
According to the PM, Vietnam and ASEAN countries are embarking on a comprehensive plan on post-COVID-19 recovery, upholding the bloc’s central role, holding conferences with China and the US to maintain and facilitate trade and investment, and step up regional and global economic recovery.
East Sea, waters of cooperation and development
Answering reporters' questions about the pandemic’s impacts on Vietnam’s agenda regarding the negotiations on the East Sea issues, Prime Minister Phuc affirmed that peace, security and stability in the region and the East Sea in particular are the common interest and aspiration of the community, especially ASEAN.
The summit has reaffirmed ASEAN’s determination to build the East Sea into a sea of cooperation, development, security and safety.
COVID-19 has disrupted discussions on the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China. Vietnam and ASEAN are working with all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint, prevent actions that could complicate the situation at sea, comply with international law and build an East Sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. Vietnam and ASEAN also want maritime and aviation freedom, to seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and accelerate talks on an effective and efficient COC in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./
Proving the community’s power during the COVID-19 pandemic
During an international press conference following the event, when asked about regional cooperation in the fight against COVID-19, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said that the pandemic has spread worldwide. There are over 130,000 infections and nearly 4,000 deaths in the region. The bloc took drastic and rapid action in a cohesive and responsive spirit. This included holding the ASEAN summit and the ASEAN 3 summit, and ASEAN meetings with their partners. They also initiated the establishment of a COVID-19 response fund, a medical warehouse and a standard process that were applauded by the community both inside and outside the region.
 The opening ceremony of the 36th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Hoang Viet/VNA  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and delegates at the flag raising ceremony at the event. Photo: VNA  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, ASEAN Chair in 2020 opens the 36th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc opens the 36th ASEAN Summit. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA Plenary session of the 36th ASEAN Summit at the international convention center in Hanoi. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and delegates attend the opening ceremony of the summit. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA  Ambassadors and representatives from ASEAN embassies in Vietnam follow the plenary session of the summit via videos. Photo: VNA  Delegates at the opening ceremony of the summit. Photo: VNA |
ASEAN is working toward win-win cooperation and development
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“I am deeply confident that after every storm and typhoon, the stalks of rice on the logo of ASEAN will grow tighter, and from it more grains of rice will spring forth, filled with the love, care and solidarity that define our big ASEAN family.” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc |
ASEAN always strives for mutually-beneficial cooperation for regional peace and future development of partners, including China and the US, he said. Fighting COVID-19 and economic recovery are two major tasks for the common interest of the international community, the US and China.
 Foreign delegates attend the ASEAN leaders’ special session on women’s empowerment in the digital age. Photo: Van Diep/VNA  National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, President of the 41st ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) speaks at the ASEAN leaders’ meeting with representatives of AIPA. Photo: VNA  The ASEAN leaders’ meeting with representatives of ASEAN youth. Photo: Van Diep/VNA  The ASEAN leaders’ meeting with representatives of the ASEAN business advisory council (ASEAN-BAC). Photo: VNA  Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the ASEAN leaders’ meeting with representatives of the ASEAN business advisory council (ASEAN-BAC). Photo: VNA  The Vietnamese Prime Minister hosts a press conference to announce information related to the 36th ASEAN Summit. |
According to the PM, Vietnam and ASEAN countries are embarking on a comprehensive plan on post-COVID-19 recovery, upholding the bloc’s central role, holding conferences with China and the US to maintain and facilitate trade and investment, and step up regional and global economic recovery.
East Sea, waters of cooperation and development
Answering reporters' questions about the pandemic’s impacts on Vietnam’s agenda regarding the negotiations on the East Sea issues, Prime Minister Phuc affirmed that peace, security and stability in the region and the East Sea in particular are the common interest and aspiration of the community, especially ASEAN.
The summit has reaffirmed ASEAN’s determination to build the East Sea into a sea of cooperation, development, security and safety.
COVID-19 has disrupted discussions on the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China. Vietnam and ASEAN are working with all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint, prevent actions that could complicate the situation at sea, comply with international law and build an East Sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. Vietnam and ASEAN also want maritime and aviation freedom, to seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and accelerate talks on an effective and efficient COC in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./
Story: VNP Photos: VNA
