Welcoming Remarks - International Symposium on the Preparation for APEC Viet Nam 2006

Your Excellency Mr. Vu Khoan, Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam
Ambassador Kim Jong Hoon, APEC SOM Chair,
Ambassador Choi Seok Young, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat,
APEC Senior Officials,
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I feel privileged that H.E. Mr. Vu Khoan, Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam has honored us with his presence and will be delivering the Opening Speech. I am also extremely delighted that Ambassador Kim Jong Hoon, APEC SOM Chair, Ambassador Choi Seok Young, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat and his colleagues, APEC SOM Leaders and distinguished representatives from most of APEC member economies have traveled thousands of miles to Ha Noi to attend this important Symposium.

On behalf of the APEC 2006 Inter-Ministerial Task Force, Leaders of Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Organizing Committee, I would like to warmly welcome all of you to Ha Noi to the International Symposium on the Preparation for APEC-Viet Nam 2006. I would also like to take this opportunity to express our most sincere thanks to invited speakers, discussants, moderators and all participants for your enthusiasm and earnestness devoted to this Symposium. It is my belief that your presence and valuable contributions will bring about fruitful outcomes for this Symposium.

You may concur with me that APEC is embarking on an important development period. APEC is half-way towards the Bogor goals which aim at achieving free and open trade and investment in the region. The mid-term stock-take which is being undertaken under Korea's leadership is very important for APEC. It is not only a review of progresses or celebration of past achievements but beyond that, it is to map out a roadmap for APEC with a view to achieving the set out goals. For that, I think we should comment and congratulate our colleagues from Korea on their able leadership and great efforts in guiding our discussion for the conclusion of an APEC Roadmap in the APEC Leaders' Meeting later this year.

As the next host, Viet Nam will make every effort to make the 2006 year a success for each and every economy as well as for a shared future of an APEC region of prosperity, peace and stability. Viet Nam will closely cooperate with all APEC member economies to carry out the Roadmap in the most effective and productive manner. We will also try to further contribute to the development of APEC and keep APEC on the right track towards the anticipated prospect.

To guarantee the successful contribution of APEC Viet Nam 2006 to the whole APEC process, Viet Nam wishes to seek broad consultations from all APEC member economies and related organizations such as ABAC and PECC on how to build on existing achievements and increase the relevance of APEC. It is our hope that the APEC process, through Viet Nam's chairmanship, will be closer to the overall goals of retaining trade liberalization and facilitation, strengthening Ecotech cooperation, as well as securing a safe and secured business environment for the sake of our communities and stakeholders. Therefore, we deem this Symposium a very important event in preparation for APEC 2006. This will provide excellent opportunity for us, based on the assessment of the past achievements, to share ideas and exchange views on substantive issues of APEC 2006. The discussion and outcomes of this Symposium will be valuable inputs for Viet Nam in the process of deciding on the theme, sub-themes and priorities for APEC-Viet Nam Year. It will also serve as references for our next hosts, Australiaand Peru in 2007 and 2008 respectively, in their preparation for those APEC Years.

Finally, I would like to thank the APEC Secretariat for providing part of funding for this Symposium, to our co-hosts for their cooperation. Once again, my thanks also go to all of you for your presence at the Symposium. I am looking forward to our fruitful and insightful discussion in the next two days. I am also hopeful that during your stay in Viet Nam, apart from attending and contributing to the Symposium, you will have time to experience and taste our Vietnamese traditional culture and the charm and beauty of our capital city, Ha Noi.

Now may I have the great honor to call upon H.E. Mr. Vu Khoan, Deputy Prime Minister of Viet Nam, to deliver the Opening Speech.

Thank you for your attention.