Strategic partnership

Hanoi (VNA) – ASEAN and Canada agreed to soon elevate their dialogue relationship to a Strategic Partnership during the ASEAN-Canada Ministerial Meeting held online on September 10 as part of the 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-53). The foreign ministers highly valued Canada's active participation in ASEAN-established and -led mechanisms, especially the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Countries acknowledged Canada's wish to participate more deeply in other ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM ). ASEAN also appreciated Canada's timely support for the region’s fight against COVID-19, with the provision of medical protective equipment worth 4.5 million CAD. Both sides noted the positive progress in the ASEAN-Canada dialogue relationship in all fields, especially the effective implementation of the ASEAN-Canada Action Plan 2016-2020. Canadian Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne … [Read more...] about ASEAN, Canada agree to soon lift ties to Strategic Partnership

Vietnam welcomes Canada for supporting ASEAN initiatives to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund and the Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, Minh said, expressed his wish that Canada will cooperate with and support ASEAN in minimising the COVID-19 impacts in all aspects and in post-pandemic recovery. … [Read more...] about ASEAN, Canada agree to soon lift ties to strategic partnership

Hanoi (VNA) - Participants to the virtual ASEAN-Australia Ministerial Meeting on September 10 shared the view that the ASEAN-Australia dialogue relationship has made strong progress since its establishment in 1974, and positively contributed to regional peace and stability. At the event, held within the framework of the 53rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-53), the foreign ministers of both sides held that ASEAN-Australia cooperation has significantly contributed to realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, including the Blueprints of the ASEAN Political-Security Community, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, the Work Plan of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) phase III and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025. Australia is currently ASEAN's 7th largest trade partner while ASEAN is Australia's third largest trade partner. ASEAN is preparing for negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement … [Read more...] about ASEAN, Australia look toward stronger partnership

Washington DC (VNA) – The US on September 9 introduced specific cooperation and support programmes for ASEAN member states, on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the US-ASEAN Strategic Partnership. The programmes focus on four main fields: strengthening public health systems for the future, building connectivity through human capital development, advancing partnerships in economic cooperation, and promoting maritime cooperation for a secure Indo-Pacific. In the first field, the US continues to be a leader in global health, including providing 87 million USD for ASEAN countries to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The US commits to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with ASEAN partners to mitigate the pandemic and strengthen the bloc’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to future zoonotic and other infectious disease outbreaks through several new initiatives such as the USAID’s support for the ASEAN Public Health Emergency Coordination System, and the opening of a … [Read more...] about US highlights cooperation programmes with ASEAN countries

Washington D.C (VNA) – US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on September 11 issued a press statement affirming the enduring commitment to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In the statement, Pompeo said America has long been a friend to ASEAN countries. The ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific and the US Indo-Pacific Strategy share a respect for sovereignty, the rule of law, transparency, openness, and inclusivity. These shared principles form the core of the US work with ASEAN and are the basis for this week’s launch of the Mekong-US Partnership. The US reiterates its support for ASEAN as the bloc speaks with a strong, collective voice to advance these shared values. According to the Secretary of State, at the ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers’ meeting recently, he reaffirmed US support for ASEAN’s role at the heart of the Indo-Pacific. The US underscored its commitment to speak out against escalating aggression and threats to sovereign nations’ … [Read more...] about US affirms enduring commitment to ASEAN