Tuesday, 08/08/2017 16:25 (GMT+7)
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on August 8th organized an ASEAN flag hoisting to mark the 50th year of the founding of the association (August 8th) and 22nd year since Vietnam joined the association (July 28th).
ASEAN flag hoisting (Photo: CPV)
Over the past 50 years, from 5 initial members including Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, ASEAN has admitted Brunei in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999, making a dream of an ASEAN with 10 Southeast Asian nations come true.
Since its ASEAN membership, Vietnam has made active and responsible contributions to the association. Becoming a community in early 2016, ASEAN marked the efforts of member countries, including Vietnam, through initiatives, proposals and the 2010 Hanoi action program. So far, Vietnam has been one of leading countries in realizing the targets of the ASEAN Community, with nearly 95% of actions having been carried out.
Vietnam has played a role as coordinator in cooperation mechanisms between ASEAN and its partners, most recently with China, EU and India.
Vietnam has put forth initiatives, including expanding members of the East Asia Summit by promoting the admission of Russia and the US; organising for the first time the ASEAN Defence Minister's Meeting Plus (ADMM+); and successfully holding the ASEAN chairmanship in 1998 and 2010.
Coping with ASEAN challenges, Vietnam has also made active contributions, including maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea./.
Compiled by BTA