Vietnam: role and ambitions in ASEAN

What will be Vietnam's role in ASEAN? What are its growth prospects?

The eighteenth summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, an economic organization aimed at the development and economic, social and cultural growth of its member states (Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos), held in Jakarta in Indonesia from 5 to 8 May 2011, confirmed the important role played by Vietnam within the association.

On this occasion, the delegations of the member states discussed the three priorities set in the agenda which concern the consolidation of the already significant growth process experienced by the regional macro-area. In addition to strengthening the structural conditions necessary to continue on the path of economic development and social well-being, the member states have defined a further implementation of measures in order to accelerate the process which should lead ASEAN by 2015 to become a real Community, with more flexible political and economic measures and greater regional integration. Last key point, the planning of a common vision of the ASEAN Community after 2015, considering its role in the global arena and the new scenarios of the international context. The leaders of the ASEAN countries therefore expressed points of convergence regarding the role and international status that the same organization will have to cover in the coming years.

The Vietnamese delegation, made up of the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Pham Binh Minh, expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the summit, considered by all the participants to be a great success. Phan Binh Minh, in addition to underlining the enormous progress made by ASEAN since its establishment 43 years ago, highlighting its role as an increasingly dynamic and ever more open and integrated organization in trade, political and economic relations on the global scene, has expressed its point of view regarding the role and responsibilities of Vietnam within the macro-area, also from a future point of view.

Vietnam intends to assume a role of primary importance and is configured among the leading countries of the Community, together with Indonesia. Specifically, Prime Minister Dung himself specified that in order for ASEAN to become an important player on the world stage, it will be necessary to ensure that the same principles that have contributed to the growth of Vietnam are assimilated even more strongly by the Community. A foreign policy aimed at greater independence and autonomy, closer cooperation aimed at rapid development capable of keeping pace with internationalization processes, accentuated multilateralism which allows for stronger and more active participation in the process of international integration represent the keystones on which to base one's economic and diplomatic action. Precisely to implement the project, Vietnam has promoted, together with other member states, a road map which establishes what are considered the cornerstones of the future ASEAN Community. The three pillars concern the management of security policy, the economy and socio-cultural aspects: ASEAN, through more effective forms of coordination, will have to be able to operate both at a national and regional level, and above all it will have to be capable of bridging divisions and bridging the gap between different Member States.

There is no shortage of controversies. In addition to the territorial disputes between Cambodia and Thailand and the complex political situation in Myanmar, there was the question of the exploitation of the Mekong River which has created discontent and diplomatic rifts between Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand on one side, and Laos (which intends to free itself from the regime of dependency of the strongest regional economies, Vietnam and Thailand) and China (which has long since got its hands on the resources of the poorest country in ASEAN) on the other.

Vietnam, in this sense, has shown political maturity. During the Summit, he underlined the importance of greater cooperation with China, hoping for a speedy resolution of the Mekong River dispute, and to remedy these disagreements, Prime Minister Dung met on June 6 with the head of the Secretariat of Government of Laos, Cheuang Sombounkhan, in order to be able to overcome the dispute, to preserve and promote the bilateral relations of traditional friendship that have always distinguished the two countries. Today's world looks at this area and at Vietnam differently.

Obama's attention to ASEAN is certainly not comparable to the lack of interest shown by George W. Bush. Also for this reason, the Asean Community will have to overcome regional divisions and create conditions favorable to the maintenance of peace, stability, security and development.

READ ALSO:

The success of Italian companies in India

Internationalizing your business abroad: strategic choice or opportunity?

Digital Export Manager (DEM): internationalization in a digital context