PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives the chairmanship gavel from his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha at the closing ceremony of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok in November last year.

On behalf ofthe Government and people of Vietnam, PM Phuc extended his greetings to leaders of theASEAN nations, their families andall people of the ASEAN Community, wishing them “a New Year full of health,happiness and success.”

“2020 is forecast to be a year of difficulties and challenges with unpredictable developments in the region and the world,” the PM said. “But all such difficulties and challenges cannot prevent us from moving towards acommon goal – an united,  peaceful,prosperous and sustainably developed ASEAN Community.”

“To realizethe goal, a “cohesive andresponsive” ASEAN is an important factor for us to overcome difficulties and challenges together and join hands in building a better future for the regional community andpeople,” he said.

As the Chair of ASEAN this year, Vietnam wants to work with the regional countries to implementspecific activities and initiatives; strengthen solidarity; foster links andconnectivity; promote identity; enhance external relations and improve ASEAN’soperational efficiency, he continued.

Vietnam hopesto receive positive supportand cooperation from the countries in implementing such initiatives, he said.

“Let’s join hands to build and develop theASEAN Community together towards prosperity and sustainable development,” the PM stressed./.VNA