US to set up US-ASEAN Centre to deepen bilateral ties
A US – ASEAN Centre will be established in Washington, D.C as part of efforts to deepen relations between the US and the regional grouping, especially in economic cooperation, the US Department of State announced on September 7.
US Vice President Kamala Harris at the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia (Photo: //www.upi.com/)
Washington D.C (VNA) – A US – ASEAN Centre will beestablished in Washington, D.C as part of effortsto deepen relations between the US and the regional grouping, especially in economiccooperation, the US Department of State announced on September 7.
The centre will further institutionalise anddeepen the relationship between the US and ASEAN, while bolstering support forUS economic and cultural engagement with Southeast Asia, the department said.
Its activities will be aimedat supporting joint efforts of the two sides to promote an open, connected,prosperous, resilient, and secure region.
The plan was announced in the context that US Vice President Kamala Harris attended the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.
According to Harris, the US is reviewingongoing efforts to promote broad-based prosperity through investing inhigh-quality and sustainable infrastructure, accelerating the energytransition, and developing secure and resilient supply chains.
෴ In its announcement, the US Department of State said the US isthe largest investor in ASEAN among the group’s partner countries, and the two-waytrade reached a record of 520.3 billion USD in 2022./.
US Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham has said that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are integral to the economic growth of the region.
US Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham has highlighted the US Government's commitment to ASEAN centrality.
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The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
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Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
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US Vice President Kamala Harris at the 18th East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia (Photo: //www.upi.com/) 
