THE 2nd REGULAR PRESS CONFERENCE
(Hanoi, 11th March, 2010)
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Announcement

1. The 16th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi from 8th to 9th 2010

 

The 16th ASEAN Summit will be held in Hanoi from 8th to 9th next April. This first ASEAN Summit in 2010 will be attended by ASEAN leaders  without the participation of dialogue partners. Preparatory ministerial and senior official meetings on 3 pillars of the ASEAN Community, namely politics and security, economics and socio-culture will take place from 6th to 8th.

ASEAN leaders are expected to discuss accelerating efforts in building the Community and implementing the ASEAN Charter, promoting intra-bloc cooperation and integration, and enhancing regional capacity in response to emerging challenges, especially addressing consequences of economic crisis, strengthening economic recovery and sustainable development and combating climate change.

Currently, preparations for the 16th ASEAN Summit are being completed. We will continue to keep you updated.

To cover the 16th ASEAN Summit, Vietnamese correspondents can register to the Press Department, Ministry of Information and Communication. Foreign reporters can contact the Press and Information Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs or register online at http://ASEAN2010.vn.

 

 

2. The ARF Defence Officials’s Dialogue (18 March 2010) and the 7th ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM 7, 24-27 March 2010)

In the framework of the Inter-Sessional Support Group Meeting on Confidence Building Measures and Preventive Diplomacy (ISG on CBMs and PD) from 17th to 20th March 2010 in Nha Trang, ARF Defence Officials’ Dialogue (DoD) will be convened. At this dialogue, defence officials from 27 ARF member countries will discuss two major topics: regional response to natural disasters mitigation: military and civilian collaboration and strengthening ARF: reconsideration and rearrangement of ARF defence meetings.

Also in March, the 7th ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Informal Meeting will be held from 24th to 27th, under the theme of “Enhancing cooperation effectiveness among ASEAN military forces to respond to non-traditional security challenges in the region”.

 

For more information about the ASEAN defence meetings in March 2010 and in 2010, you can log on Ministry of Defence’s website http://admm.org.vn.

 

 

Q&A:

 

Q: The 1st round of Trans-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations will take place from 15- 19 March 2010, how significant is the event and what will Viet Nam contribute?

 

A:

TPP negotiation represents an of Asia Pacific contries to enhance regional integration and cooperation for peace and development.

Viet Nam’s participation in TPP negotiations shows its determination to continue with renovation and integrate deeply into the global economy. Accordingly, Viet Nam, as an associate member, has proactively prepared for the launch of negotiations together with other members. Viet Nam will also actively and responsibly participate in the 1st round of negotiations to be held in Melbourne, Australia from 15th to 19th March 2010.