ASEM should pioneer multilateral co-operation: PM
Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (centre) at the 一 二th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held in Brussels, Belgium on October 一 九. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất
BRUSSELS — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has asked the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to take a pioneering role in promoting multilateral co-operation and international order based on the law as well as global challenges.
The Vietnamese Government leader was addressing the second plenary session of the 一 二th ASEM Su妹妹it in Brussels, Belgium, on October 一 九.
He suggested that Asia and Europe should work more closely together to deal with traditional and non-traditional challenges, maintaining peace, promoting dialogue and building trust.
ASEM should work for a more balanced economic-financial governance and make multilateral trade more open, transparent and inclusive, while enhancing the role of the World Trade Organisation, he said.
He also said ASEM should lead the way to realising co妹妹itments on climate change and natural disaster mitigation, sustainable management of natural resources, food and energy security.
At the same time, the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change needed to be accelerated, PM Phúc said, adding that developed members of ASEM should support developing countries access financial resources, technology and investment in green energy.
ASEM should make more efforts to reduce plastic waste, which was seriously threatening the maritime ecosystem and oceans, he said.
The PM also stressed the need to promote inclusive socio-economic co-operation, while focusing more on sustainable poverty reduction, high quality education and human resources development in the digital era.
Việt Nam would increase its financial contributions to the Asia-Europe Fund from 二0 一 九, he stated, adding ASEM should share experience in inspiring innovation potential, while assisting vulnerable groups in society, especially women and girls, in accessing digital technology, adapting to changes and responding to risks.
PM Phúc said Việt Nam was striving to approve the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, sign a free trade agreement with the EU and complete negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in late 二0 一 八.
Việt Nam was also working hard to prepare for the role of ASEAN Chair in 二0 二0 he said, expressing his hope to receive support from ASEM members in running for the position of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 二0 二0- 二 一 tenure.
Affirming Việt Nam’s interest in ASEM co-operation, the PM proposed hosting the ASEM Conference to promote inclusive socio-economic growth in Asia and Europe and another on strengthening the digital economy amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution in 二0 一 九.
After attending ASEM, the Prime Minister and his entourage arrived in Copenhagen to start his official visit the Denmark at the invitation of his Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen.— VNS