President Truong Tan Sang and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived in Bali, Indonesia on late afternoon October 6 for the 21st Economic Leaders’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC 21) forum.

Representative from the Indonesian Government welcomes President Sang at Ngurah Rai Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Welcoming the delegation at the Ngurah Rai Airport were officials from the Indonesian Government, the governor of Bali province and the Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam.

On October 7 and 8, President Sang is scheduled to meet with leaders of many APEC member economies to discuss important contents towards the region’s economic growth and connectivity and measures to solve regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The Vietnamese delegation’s activities are in line with the country’s foreign policy on active and proactive international integration and attaching importance to Asia-Pacific cooperation mechanisms. Vietnam’s hosting of the APEC meeting in 2017 is expected to be announced on this occasion.

APEC 21, themed “Resilient Asia-Pacific, Engine of Global Growth”, will focus discussions on the current global economy and the role of APEC in promoting the multilateral trade system, APEC vision of connectivity in the evolving regional and international architecture, and sustainable growth in combination with equality: food security, water resources and energy.

* Vietnam helps build a strong, united ASEAN

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will lead a delegation to the 23rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan from October 8-10 at the invitation of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

The summit is taking place at a time when ASEAN is particularly determined to step up community building, connectivity and its focus on the people of the region.

Major topics to be discussed at the meetings include the post-2015 building and operation of the ASEAN Community.

Participants will also touch on the bloc’s cooperation with its partners within the framework of the ASEAN Plus One, ASEAN Plus Three and East Asian Summit (EAS), as well as discuss international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Vietnam has taken an active part in all ASEAN activities during 2013 as part of its policy of being “active, proactive and responsible” in its ASEAN cooperation and made important contributions to mapping the bloc’s development vision through its influence in significant decision making.

The country has promoted the group’s decisive role in regional cooperation and structuring, and fostered peace, security, stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia. It has also facilitated ASEAN’s relations with the bloc’s partners.

Vietnam’s participation at the 23rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings, together with other fellow members, will strengthen the bloc’s solidarity and central role in a shaping regional architecture, contributing to building a strong and close-knit ASEAN.

The country’ role and position will be further elevated through its active participation in the regional meetings which will promote Vietnam’s bilateral ties with its partners.

Source: Vietnam Plus