(MOFA) - At the MOFA regular press conference on 15th of October, 2020, responding to media’s request regarding Viet Nam’s comment on the information that ASEAN’s partners including the United States, Japan, India, and Australia wish to enhance cooperation in the field of freedom of navigation with ASEAN countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang stated:

ASEAN always welcomes ideas and initiatives that contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region.

As the chairman of ASEAN 2020, Viet Nam sets the main goal to be building a comprehensive and responsive ASEAN. On that basis, Viet Nam has been promoting the chairmanship role in building the community, affirming the central role of ASEAN in the regional architecture and expanding the ASEAN’s external relationships.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic which causes direct, long term and profound effects on the socio-economic of the region and the world, Viet Nam wishes and stands ready with ASEAN countries and partners to work together to recover economies, stabilize people’s lives for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Asia – Pacific region. In this process, international laws, the spirit of dialogue and cooperation should always be highly appreciated.