Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung meets ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn
WVR - On the afternoon of January 14, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Central Committee Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung met with Mr. Kao Kim Hourn, ASEAN Secretary-General, on the occasion of his visit to Vietnam to attend the 6th ASEAN Digital Ministers' Meeting (ADGMIN).
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| Central Committee Secretary and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung welcomes ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn during his visit to Vietnam. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung highly appreciated the active role and significant contributions of ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn and the ASEAN Secretariat to ASEAN's collective work, as well as the support and cooperation they have extended to Vietnam in recent times.
Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized the importance of unity, consensus, and focusing on achieving the goals of building the ASEAN Community. Accordingly, ASEAN member countries need to prioritize resources to effectively implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans, as well as support Timor-Leste in effectively participating and fully integrating into ASEAN cooperation activities.
Amidst complex international and regional developments, the Minister stressed that ASEAN must continue to strengthen unity, centrality, enhance resilience and strategic autonomy, promptly and effectively address challenges and hotspots, ensuring a peaceful, secure, and stable environment for economic development in the region.
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| Overview of the meeting. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The Foreign Minister also highlighted the importance of enhancing economic, trade, investment cooperation, and connectivity through the effective implementation and exploitation of regional agreements such as the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), ASEAN Power Grid (APG), and leveraging new growth drivers like innovation, digital transformation, digital economy, and strengthening scientific and technological cooperation among ASEAN countries and with partners.
The Foreign Minister also suggested that the ASEAN Secretariat support member countries in researching and proposing practical initiatives not only in the fields of economy, trade, investment but also in enhancing capacity for warning, responding to, and addressing issues and challenges affecting regional peace, security, and stability, through effectively utilizing tools and mechanisms like the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
On the occasion of the 14th National Party Congress scheduled from January 19-25, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung shared that based on the evaluation and summary of 40 years of renewal, the 14th Party Congress will set comprehensive development goals and directions for Vietnam in the new era.
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| Vietnam views ASEAN as a strategic pillar in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. (Photo: Thanh Long) |
The Foreign Minister also affirmed that Vietnam will continue its independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and development-oriented foreign policy, diversifying and multilateralizing international relations, with ASEAN always holding a strategic position and role in Vietnam's foreign policy. Vietnam is committed to actively coordinating with member countries to build a united, resilient, and strong ASEAN Community, emphasizing and strengthening ASEAN's central role in the shaping regional architecture.
Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn praised Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements in recent times, affirming that Vietnam has become a model of sustainable development. The Secretary-General also shared the orientations mentioned by Minister Le Hoai Trung and affirmed that the ASEAN Secretariat is ready to support member countries in realizing the goals of the ASEAN Vision 2045.
Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn congratulated and expressed confidence that the Communist Party of Vietnam will successfully organize the 14th National Party Congress, making significant contributions to the nation's construction and development, further enhancing Vietnam's role and position in the region and internationally. The ASEAN Secretary-General also expressed gratitude and confirmed participation in the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum (AFF) scheduled for 2026.
The Secretary-General also shared his appreciation for the theme "Shaping a Common Future: Peace, Prosperity, People-Centered" of the Forum and is confident that the Forum will assist ASEAN countries in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans.
