Kuala Lumpur: Vietnam has strongly backed Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship priorities for 2025, expressing confidence in the country’s leadership to drive regional progress.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Vietnam’s Multilateral Trade Policy Department stated its belief in Malaysia’s pivotal role in steering ASEAN towards significant achievements, particularly in strengthening intra-ASEAN economic collaboration. Vietnam actively participated in discussions during the 31st ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Retreat (AEMR31), expressing support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship priorities for 2025.
The statement from Vietnam emphasized confidence in Malaysia’s leadership, affirming that as ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia will continue to lead the bloc towards significant achievements aligned with the theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability.’ The recent AEMR31 retreat in Desaru, held from February 22 to 27, saw Vietnam’s delegation led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, along with representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Vietnamese delegation engaged in working sessions with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, as well as Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, who chairs ASEAN 2025. Discussions were also held with the Philippines’ Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry and other delegations, focusing on bilateral cooperation programs and resolving trade issues, particularly in agricultural products and other areas of mutual interest.
The AEMR31 concluded successfully on the afternoon of February 28, laying the groundwork for specialized ASEAN Economic Pillar groups to further build a stronger and more prosperous ASEAN Economic Community in the near future. The retreat was held in conjunction with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship this year under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, reflecting the country’s aspirations to foster a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable ASEAN community.