Ambassador Le Cong Phung Chairs ASEAN Washington Committee
The first regular meeting of the ASEAN Washington Committee (AWC) under Vietnam's Chair was held in Washington on January 8.
The participants included Ambassadors and Charge d’Affairs of the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, as guest speaker.
Addressing the meeting, Secretary Gutierrez emphasized the importance of US - ASEAN relationship and the U.S. efforts to further promote its ties with ASEAN. While acknowledging the remarkable growth in US - ASEAN trade, the Secretary called for stronger economic ties and more investment from ASEAN.
Secretary Gutierrez expressed satisfaction with his successful visit to Viet Nam last November and hailed the country's economic achievement. There remains opportunities for the two countries to bolster their trade and investment in the coming time, Gutierrez said.
The ASEAN diplomats express desire to boost the group's economic ties with US for the regional prosperity.
Vietnam, on a rotatory term, chairs the AWC from January through April 2008.
