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Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has signed a decision on the coordination mechanism among agencies involved in ASEAN cooperation.
Under the decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs serves as the national ASEAN coordinator, assisting the Prime Minister in directing all of Vietnam’s ASEAN cooperation activities. The ministry will also coordinate Vietnam’s participation in the ASEAN Coordinating Council and the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council, with its minister acting as Vietnam’s representative to both councils.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade and its minister will perform the similar role at the ASEAN Economic Community Council, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and its minister at the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council.
The Ministry of Finance is tasked with coordinating cooperation in ASEAN connectivity, with its minister heading Vietnam’s steering committee on ASEAN connectivity coordination. The ASEAN–Vietnam National Secretariat and Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta will work together in the implementation of related tasks.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is assigned coordinate information, communication and promotional activities related to ASEAN, with its minister serving as head of the steering committee for this work.
For emerging cross-sectoral or cross-pillar issues, the lead agency or the national ASEAN coordinator is required to report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision, based on consultations with relevant bodies.
The decision also clarifies that Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to ASEAN acts as the country’s diplomatic representative to the bloc, leading coordination and participation in activities of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and other relevant mechanisms in accordance with regulations.
The national ASEAN coordinator is responsible for timely dissemination of high-ranking leaders' relevant guidelines, policies and decisions. The ASEAN–Vietnam National Secretariat provides updates on ASEAN cooperation and Vietnam’s participation, while lead agencies for ASEAN pillars and cross-sectoral areas supply specialized information within their mandates.
Coordination may take the form of official documents, emails, telephone calls, and in-person or virtual meetings. A “rapid consultation” mechanism would be established to handle urgent issues, in compliance with regulations on the protection of state secrets.
The regulations also specify coordination in policy research and advisory work; negotiation and signing of international treaties and agreements; preparation for and participation in ASEAN conferences and meetings; hosting ASEAN activities in Vietnam; and cooperation with localities and non-governmental organizations in ASEAN-related activities.
- (VNA/VLLF)
