Vice Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Do Ba Ty (centre) chairs the meeting (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - An online meeting of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)’sCommittee on Political Matters was held in Hanoi on September 9 with the theme“Parliamentary diplomacy for peace and sustainable security in ASEAN”.
The meeting was held within the framework of the 41st GeneralAssembly of AIPA (AIPA-41).
Addressing the meeting, Vice Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) Do BaTy placed emphasis on AIPA’s significant role in supporting and accompanying ASEANin the process of integration, building the ASEAN Community, and contributingto regional peace, stability, prosperity, and sustainable development over the last43 years.
In the context of complicated developments in the world situation, andparticularly the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, AIPA and ASEAN have exhibited closecoordination in promoting cohesiveness and responsiveness within the bloc, hesaid.
He lauded the Committee on Political Matters’ agenda, which he said would contributeto AIPA’s vision towards a sustainable peace in the region and the world andprosperity for all.
Member of theVietnamese NA’s Committee for External Relations and Deputy Foreign MinisterBui Thanh Son said AIPA member parliaments will make further efforts to promoteparliamentary diplomacy as well as cooperation among countries, and betweenlegislative and executive bodies, with a view to enhancing peace, security and atransparent, rules-based and ASEAN-centred regional structure.
AIPA member states and host Vietnam discussed a wide range of issues relatingto parliamentary diplomacy, including traditional and non-traditional securityissues, and compliance with international rules as well as commitments toensure regional and global peace and security.
Regarding the East Sea issue, member parliaments voiced their support ofmaintaining peace, security, and stability in the waters, and underscored thenecessity to obey laws, build trust, use peaceful means to settle disputes basedon international rules, fully carry out the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (DOC), and work toward an effective and binding Code ofConduct in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law ofthe Sea.
Representatives from member parliaments affirmed they will continue to work toenhance ASEAN’s capacity in dealing with traditional and non-traditionalchallenges, and promote parliamentary diplomacy so as to stabilise peace andprosperity.
Outcomes of the meeting will be presented at the second plenary session of AIPA41./.
VNA
