Your Royal Highness,
Your Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Government and people of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, I take a great pleasure in extending our warmest welcome to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to Hanoi on the occasion of the Ceremonies to admit of the Kingdom of Cambodia into ASEAN. Our special welcome goes to His Excellency Mr. Hor Namhong, Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who represents the Royal Government of Cambodia at this important event.

I would also like to welcome all distinguished guests, Heads of Diplomatic Missions and representatives of international organisations in Hanoi to this auspicious event.

Distinguished Participants,

We gather here today in a joyful atmosphere to implement the important Decision made by the Sixth ASEAN Summit to organise Special Ceremonies to admit the Kingdom of Cambodia into ASEAN. We are privileged to be part of an event of historic significance at the threshold of the 21st century, fulfilling the long- cherished vision of an ASEAN embracing all ten Southeast Asian countries, ushering in a new period in the history of formation and evolution of our Association. Undoubtedly, an ASEAN-10 in solidarity, and maintaining unity in diversity and close cooperation for the lofty goals of peace, stability and prosperity, will bring an added strength and synergy to our Association, promote greater regional cooperation, heighten ASEAN's role and stature in the international arena, and whereby contribute actively to peace, stability and cooperation for development in Southeast Asia, Asia- Pacific and elsewhere.

With that belief and conviction in mind, I now declare open the Special Admission Ceremonies for the Kingdom of Cambodia into ASEAN.