(VOVworld) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a ceremony on Tuesday to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Vietnam’s entry into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on July 28, 1995, and ASEAN’s formation 48 years ago on August 8, 1967. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said the formation of the ASEAN Community at the end of 2015 will have a significant impact on all member states and the region. He said that based on the pillars of politics, security, economics and culture, the ASEAN Community will improve the solidarity of the people, help reduce tensions and disputes, and promote peace, cooperation and development in the region. He said: "ASEAN has transformed Southeast Asia from a region divided by conflicts and suspicions into a role model of cooperation, friendship, solidarity, and mutual trust where all members strive for the shared goals of peace, cooperation, and development. Our faith in the strength of solidarity has helped us overcome historical barriers and differences to live together under the same roof. ASEAN has proven its strong vitality over half a decade of ups and downs. ASEAN has been, and is, an important factor contributing to maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region."
Deputy PM Minh emphasized that over the past two decades, ASEAN has always been a priority of Vietnam’s foreign policy and international integration efforts. As an active member, he added, Vietnam has contributed to building an ASEAN of close connectivity, solidarity, and unity, and giving the group a central role in the forming regional structure. Minh said the Vietnamese government and people will continue to contribute to the development of the Association, for the sake of all ASEAN people present and future.