PM Phuc arrives in Bangkok for 35th ASEAN Summit

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, his wife and delegation land at the airport (Photo: VGP)

The visit is made at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-Cha.

Welcoming guests at the airport included Thai Minister of Culture Ittiphol Kunplome, Thai Foreign Ministry representatives, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Nguyen Hai Bang and his wife along with embassy staff.

As scheduled on November 2, PM Phuc will attend the plenary meeting of the 35^th ASEAN Summit under the theme of "Advancing partnership for sustainability", and join other ASEAN leaders in holding discussions for directions and measures aimed at building a sustainable ASEAN community for the people.

On the same day, the Vietnamese government leader is set to have bilateral meetings and attend a number of events regarding business cooperation and investment of Vietnamese enterprises in Thailand.

The Government leader’s attendance at the 35th ASEAN Summit and related meetings

is intended to contribute to tightening and strengthening solidarity within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the grouping’s central role

It also aims to deepen its relations with regional partners, and creating an environment favourable for sustainable development in each country and the whole region.

The trip's purpose is also to promote the image of Vietnam that has incessantly implemented reforms and played an active role in regional cooperation, thereby effectively protecting the nation’s interests.

It is worth noting that Thailand will hand over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Vietnam at the closing ceremony of the summit.

In August 2018, Vietnam undertook the role of the coordinator of the ASEAN-Japan relations. In June this year, the country successfully organised the ASEAN-Japan Forum and the ASEAN-Japan Day in Hanoi.

Vietnam is consulting other ASEAN member states and partners to outline topics, priorities and initiatives for ASEAN in 2020 when it takes on the Chairmanship.

Accordingly, priorities will placed on enhancing the intra-bloc connectivity and ASEAN’s adaptability to global uncertainties.

The 35th ASEAN summit will discuss issues related to the three pillars of ASEAN, including the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community.

Founded in 1967, the regional grouping consists of 10 member states, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.