HANOI, VIETNAM, July 23 – ASEAN will continue to strengthen its cooperation in various fields in ASEAN itself, regional, ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and at the international level.

The matter was stated by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, His Excellency Pham Gia Khiem at the closing ceremony of 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and related meetings.

Representing Brunei Darussalam was His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Prior to the closing ceremony, the ASEAN ministers signed a Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) where it welcomes Canada and Turkey to TAC, a signal of their commitment to strengthening cooperation with ASEAN and to peace and security in the region. The ministers also signed the Third Protocol to the TAC where it would facilitate the accession of the European Union (EU) and European Community (EC) to the TAC.

In the morning, His Royal Highness attended the 17th ARF Retreat with 10 other countries in ARF including Australia.