Jakarta,     - The Secretary-General and Deputy Secretaries-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) were on a first-ever 2-day visit to Vietnam on 22-23 December 2009.

     The visit was intended to explore how the ASEAN Secretariat can support Vietnam`s Chairmanship in 2010, The Secretariat ASEAN said.

     The delegation, led by Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan, had fruitful discussions with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, the incoming Chairs of the three ASEAN Community Councils and their senior officials.

     Prime Minister Nguyen tan Dung pledged to spare no effort and gives its priorities and resources in taking on the ASEAN Chairmanship next year.

     He mentioned that Vietnam would assume an active and responsible part in building the ASEAN Community and elevate the profile of the region in the international arena.

    Dr Surin exchanged views with the Vietnamese officials on the key deliverables of APSC, AEC, ASCC and the Second Work Plan of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI Work Plan 2) for the year 2010. Vietnam had proposed the theme for ASEAN Chairmanship 2010 as "Towards the ASEAN Community: from Vision to Action".

    The theme demonstrates the determination of ASEAN and Vietnam to bring the ASEAN Charter and the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community into reality.

    "We have full confidence that Viet Nam will fulfil its Chairmanship roles with substance and actions," said Dr Surin.

    Dr Surin and his team also had individual meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Gia Khiem (incoming Chair of APSC Council), Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang (incoming Chair of AEC Council), and Minister of Labour - Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngan (incoming Chair of ASCC Council).

    Dr Surin assured Vietnam that he and his team would provide strong support and cooperate closely with the incoming Chairs to ensure that the objectives and targets set for 2010 are achieved.

    The delegation also had a roundtable discussion with Sub-committee of Content of the National Committee for ASEAN 2010 chaired by Assistant Foreign Minister Phạm Quang Vinh.

    "We are impressed with the preparation made by Vietnam. They have started work even six months before assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship and now they are already operating in high gear," Dr Surin said.

    The National Committee for ASEAN 2010 was established on 16 June 2009 and has five sub-committees and a secretariat. .

-Antara, 25 Decembrie 2009-