Speaking at a plenary session of the 13 th ASEAN summit in Singapore on November 20, PM Dung said the approval of the charter assists in creating a legal and institutional framework for ASEAN to promote unity and accelerate integration toward the formation of an ASEAN community by 2015.

PM Dung committed Viet Nam to complete necessary procedures of ratification rapidly and together with other ASEAN member countries assist in the charter’s implementation.

He said ASEAN should cooperate and accelerate efforts toward building a community based on the three pillars - politics and security, economy, and culture and society - in accordance with the roadmap and set targets.

The PM pledged Viet Nam ’s support and active participation in common ASEAN efforts to cope with urgent global matters such as climate change and environment protection, saying it directly affects the development and lives of people in countries.

At the session, ASEAN leaders agreed to pass the draft and sign the ASEAN charter, describing it an important turning point to transform ASEAN into an inter-government body in the region and a legal entity, thereby strengthening the group’s cooperation, unity and unification.

ASEAN leaders also signed a declaration affirming their determination to ratify the charter as soon as possible and guaranteeing their commitment to implement the charter.

Source: VNA