Flag hoisting ceremony in Hanoi marks ASEAN's 52nd anniversary

The ceremony saw the attendance of officials from the MOFA, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Hanoi People's Committee and the Diplomatic Corps, together with representatives from ASEAN member countries' embassies and the bloc's partners in Hanoi.

The annual event has become a proud practice of all ASEAN member nations, reflecting the honour of common values and commitment to promoting ASEAN solidarity, friendship and cooperation, under the common roof of the ASEAN Community, for peace and prosperity in the region.

Addressing the flag hoisting ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasised that after more than a decade of development with numerous difficulties and challenges, ASEAN has risen to become a strong community with ten Southeast Asian nations through a balanced approach and solidarity and cohesion between the members.

2020 will be a transitional year marking the halfway point in the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and will see Vietnam assume the important role as the ASEAN Chair, the official said.

He affirmed that Vietnam will join other ASEAN member countries to build on the attained achievements, continue to promote dialogue and cooperation, and contribute to consolidating and preserving a peaceful and stable environment.

Vietnam will also facilitate construction and development, expand business and investment opportunities, and contribute to improving quality of life and public health, promoting social security and welfare as well as ASEAN's common identity, connecting the ASEAN people and advertising ASEAN values beyond the region, Dung stated.

He stressed that Vietnam is proud to have been actively, proactively and responsibly involved throughout its 24 years as a member of ASEAN, significantly contributing to the process of cooperation and building the ASEAN Community.

In the time ahead, especially in 2020 when Vietnam serves as the ASEAN Chair, the country wishes to continue receiving support and joint hands from ASEAN member nations as well as regional and international partners and friends, in order to make more effective contributions to the process of building a peaceful, stable, prosperous, people-oriented and people-centred ASEAN Community, the Deputy Foreign Minister said.

(Source: NDO)