Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's speech is a major milestone in ASEAN’s regional economic integration agenda:
"Today, at this moment where we transition from the old year to the new year 2016, together with all ASEAN member countries, we are delighted to welcome the establishment of the ASEAN community where more than 600 million citizens reside. It has an active economy with a total GDP of 2,600 billion USD, and is a culturally-diverse community. This is a historical milestone in Southeast Asia’s economic integration agenda.
The ASEAN Community has recorded many great achievements after nearly 50 years of development and is promoting the extensive links across the three pillars of politics and security, economics, and socio-culture. As a member country since 1995, Vietnam has actively participated in building a strong ASEAN, contributing to the realisation of the idea of forming the ASEAN Community with 10 member Southeast Asian nations. In the coming time, Vietnam will strongly promote its inner strength and creativity, and take advantage of opportunities to facilitate rapid and sustainable development, bringing practical benefits to its people. Vietnam will implement integration commitments seriously and co-operate with member countries to successfully realise the vision of the ASEAN Community in 2025. On behalf of the government and people of Vietnam, I would like to send my best congratulations to the governments and peoples of ASEAN member countries. I believe that with our hands joined together, the ASEAN Community will gradually become a strong organisation".
