On February 19, at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong received the Ambassadors and Advisors of the ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste in Hanoi.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Luong Cuong affirmed that Vietnam always considers ASEAN a strategic priority in foreign policy; 2025 marks three decades of Vietnam officially becoming a member of ASEAN and always striving with ASEAN countries to build a united, strong ASEAN Community with an increasingly high role and position in the world.
The President affirmed that Vietnam supports Malaysia in successfully asserting the responsibility of ASEAN Chair in 2025 and wished Malaysia to continue leading ASEAN to achieve great achievements, towards a "Sustainable and Inclusive" ASEAN in line with the theme of ASEAN this year.
The President emphasized that in the context of conflict, tensions, and complicated developments in many places, ASEAN member countries need to continue to join hands to maintain a peaceful environment for development; strengthen closer solidarity between countries; enhance political trust in each country and between Southeast Asian countries; continue to turn commitments and agreements into concrete results; coordinate in responding to traditional and non-traditional challenges; maintain the achieved achievements, develop ASEAN strongly in the coming time, contributing to the peace, stability and prosperity of the world.
The President also welcomed Timor-Leste's gradual participation in ASEAN activities; affirmed that Vietnam always supports and actively coordinates with countries to support Timor-Leste to soon achieve membership criteria and officially join the ASEAN family.
The President shared that in order to contribute to ASEAN's common efforts in shaping the future of the region, Vietnam is preparing to organize the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 in the next few days, with the desire to create a forum for open, open, and good-will exchanges on essential issues for ASEAN and the region. President Luong Cuong expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the participation of senior leaders of ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste.
President Luong Cuong hopes that the Ambassadors and flairs will always be an important bridge, contributing more to promoting friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Southeast Asian member states, joining hands to build a strong and united ASEAN Community, a core of peace and stability in Southeast Asia and the entire Asia-Pacific - India-Pacific region.
On behalf of the Ambassador and Ambassador of Southeast Asian countries in Hanoi, Ambassador of Malaysia Dato' Tan Yang Thai (ASEAN President 2025) emphasized that ASEAN countries highly appreciate Vietnam's role and contributions in strengthening ASEAN solidarity, unity and self-reliance as well as in building the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025; said that Vietnam's commitment to regional integration, multilateralism and sustainable development continues to inspire and strengthen friendship and cooperation in and outside the ASEAN region. Vietnam's dynamic growth and proactive participation in global issues - a testament to the spirit of cooperation and the common aspiration to shape ASEAN.
As for ASEAN countries, Ambassador Tan Yang Thai reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to promoting ASEAN's common goals, including enhancing economic integration, enhancing cultural exchanges and addressing regional challenges such as climate change, public health and transnational crime; expressed Malaysia's determination in its role as ASEAN Chair to continue promoting all three pillars of politics, security and socio-culture; promoting new cooperation frameworks, grasping and taking advantage of new growth drivers.
