Gov’t orders smooth implementation of ASEAN charter

09:36' 04/02/2009 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – The Prime Minister has appointed the Foreign Ministry as the national coordinator for regional cooperation in the process of building an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) community and executing the ASEAN charter.

In a recent decision, the Government leader also ordered all relevant agencies to maintain regular contact with each other via the sole national liaison channel, the National ASEAN Secretariat under the Foreign Ministry, to “ensure good coordination of action in formulating and executing national policies regarding ASEAN cooperation.”

The Foreign Minister has been entrusted with chairing the ASEAN Coordinating Council and the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council, whilst the Minister of Industry and Trade is to chair the ASEAN Economic Community Council. The Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs will chair the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council.