At the closing ceremony of the 15th ASEAN Summit on Sunday afternoon, Vietnam officially declared to take over the ASEAN Presidency on January 1, 2010.
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Vietnam’s priority during the ASEAN Chairmanship next year is to promote solidarity and connectivity in ASEAN, translate the ASEAN Charter into reality, effectively implement the blueprints to build the ASEAN Community, expand and deepen relations between ASEAN and its outside partners, and enhance the role and position of the Association in the region and the world. Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dzung makes the statement at the closing ceremony of the 15th ASEAN Summit, Cha-am Hua Hin, Thailand, October 25, 2009
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Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dzung delivered an important speech highlighting priorities and theme of “Towards the ASEAN Community: from vision to action” for ASEAN 2010.
The following is the full text of the speech:
Mr. Chairman,
Dear colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I wish to extend my warmest congratulations to Thailand for its successful hosting of the 15th ASEAN Summit and the related summits. I would also like to express our sincere thanks to the Government and people of Thailand and Excellency Prime Minister in particular for the great hospitality accorded to me and my delegation.
I further wish to express my deep appreciation and warm congratulations to Thailand's successful hosting of the ASEAN Chairmanship, making important contributions to ASEAN cooperation, particularly in bringing the ASEAN Charter into reality and setting the roadmap to build the ASEAN Community by 2015.
Mr. Chairman,
Ladies and gentlemen,
We are fully aware that taking the ASEAN Chair is both a great honour and a huge responsibility for Vietnam. Next year will be a crucial year for ASEAN to step up efforts for the building of the ASEAN Community in the next five years. Next year will also be a time when the Association continues to translate the ASEAN Charter into reality, creating a legal and institutional framework for the ASEAN Community. The year 2010 will also mark the 15th year of Vietnam’s company with ASEAN. This is indeed an interesting and meaningful coincidence. As such, Vietnam is determined to give the top priority to successfully fulfilling this mission. We look forward to receiving your support.
ASEAN cooperation is of strategic importance to Vietnam. Vietnam is and will always be an active and responsible member of ASEAN, thus making the Association stronger and better connected. Therefore, our priority during the ASEAN Chairmanship next year is to promote solidarity and connectivity in ASEAN, translate the ASEAN Charter into reality, effectively implement the blueprints to build the ASEAN Community, expand and deepen relations between ASEAN and its outside partners, and enhance the role and position of the Association in the region and the world.
In this spirit, we have decided to chose the theme of “Towards the ASEAN Community: from vision to action” for ASEAN 2010. This theme shows that ASEAN’s goals next year should be achieved by taking concrete actions and realising the building of the ASEAN Community.
To prepare for the launch of ASEAN 2010 and show the above-mentioned theme, we have designed the logo of ASEAN year under Vietnam’s Chair. We have also set up a website for ASEAN 2010. Detailed information of Vietnam’s preparation for ASEAN Chairmanship next year will be frequently updated on the website from now on.
I would like to take this opportunity to brief you on the programme for major ASEAN events next year. The 16th ASEAN Summit is expected to be held in Ha Noi in April 2010. The 17th ASEAN Summit and other related meetings will take place in Ha Noi in October 2010.
I look forward to hosting you in Vietnam next year.
Thank you very much.