State President joins ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting

(VNA) Vietnam will continue to make active contributions to the development of the ASEAN-US relationship, both bilaterally and multilaterally, especially in 2010 when the country assumes its role as the ASEAN Chair.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet made the statement at the first ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting held in Singapore on November 15.

The Vietnamese State leader emphasised the importance of maintaining regular dialogues between ASEAN and the US at the highest level for the benefits of both sides.

He suggested the two sides further strengthen their multi-faceted cooperation, especially in economics and trade, as well as boost joint efforts in coping with global challenges.

“The two sides should put up necessary resources to concretise agreements, particularly the Joint Vision Statement on the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership,” he added.

President Triet also applauded the results of the first meeting between foreign ministers of Mekong basin countries and the US in July this year and suggested the two sides maintain an annual ministerial-level meeting and early implement specific cooperation activities in this framework.

The meeting, themed “Enhanced Partnership for Peace and Sustainable Prosperity”, saw ASEAN and US leaders agree to work for stronger cooperation in areas of common interest.

The two sides will continue to implement their existing cooperation agreements, especially the Joint Vision Statement on the ASEAN-US Enhanced Partnership, as well as boost cooperation in politics-security, economics-trade, education and training, science and technology, people-to-people exchange, and in dealing with global challenges.

The leaders agreed on the organisation of ASEAN-US ministerial-level meetings on economics-trade, finance, and energy as well as an annual meeting between foreign ministers of Mekong basin countries and the US .

They also agreed on the establishment of a working group on clean energy and health cooperation in 2010 to boost the implementation of specific cooperation activities in each field and setting up a group of ASEAN-US famous figures, including politicians, businesspeople and scholars to study and propose measures to strengthen bilateral ties.

US President Obama affirmed that the US considers ASEAN a key partner in the Asia-Pacific region and wishes to enhance the multi-faceted relationship with the grouping.

He pledged to support ASEAN in building its own community, narrowing the development gap and implementing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)./.