VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam has not only participated actively in promoting ASEAN as a member nation has but also played a leading role in ASEAN’s cooperation process. In 2012, the country made greater contributions to the regional grouping’s economic, social and cultural cooperation and also benefited from that, especially its bigger role in the bloc.

Vietnam has contributed to the development of an ASEAN Community and the enhancement of ASEAN Connectivity by integrating the implementation of the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community in its national action programs.

Regarding the relation between ASEAN and China, Vietnam has strengthened the ASEAN-China strategic partnership relations and promoted the realization of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the East Sea (DOC) in the phase from 2009-2012.

In the period from 2012-2015, Vietnam will take its role as the coordinator for ASEAN-EU relationship.

Vietnam has actively boosted the development of the Greater Mekong Subregion in terms of socio-economic development, infrastructure, transportation, energy, human resources, environmental protection, climate change adaptation, sustainable use and management of water resources as well as the connection between the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity and cooperative programs of the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The nation has also had its say in crucial documents for cooperation between ASEAN member countries and between ASEAN and its partners such as the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, the Bali Concord III Plan of Action, ASEAN's Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Joint Declaration of 10 years of the adoption of the DOC.

At the 21st ASEAN Summit, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Luong minh was appointed as the ASEAN Secretary General in the phase from 2013-2017. It is the first time a Vietnamese has taken the post.

Vietnam’s ties with other ASEAN nations in 2012

In external relations, Vietnam successfully organized the Friendship Year 2012 with Laos, Cambodia and India.

A number of high-ranking visits to ASEAN member countries were held with the aim of strengthening the relationship between Vietnam and its ASEAN peers.

Cooperative mechanisms between Vietnam and other nations were maintained and promoted, reflected by the 34th session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, the second Vietnam-Thailand Joint Cabinet Retreat and the first meeting of the Viet Nam-Indonesia Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

The country has also boosted comprehensive cooperation with other ASEAN members in traditional fields, like trade, services, investment, agriculture, transport and telecommunications and new areas, including intellectual property, competitive policies and consumer protection.

On economic relations, Vietnam has harvested several achievements with ASEAN countries.

Vietnam-Singapore trade turnover in the first nine months of 2012 reached US$7 billion. As of September 2012, Singapore was among top investors in Vietnam with 1063 projects, worth US$23.3 billion.

Vietnam and Malaysia attained nearly $5 billion in two-way trade value in the past eight months of 2012. Currently, Malaysia ranks seventh among countries and territories investing in Vietnam with a total registered capital of $11.1 billion for 422 projects.

In particular, the country’s trade with Myanmar recorded a year-on-year increase of 29% to $157.4 million as of September 2012.

Source: VGP