Jakarta (VNA) – Foreign Minister BuiThanh Son joined officials of other ASEAN member countries and its partners at the 13th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and theASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) with the US, within the framework of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting(AMM-56) in Jakarta on July 14 morning.

In his remarks at the EAS meeting, Son saidthrough consultations, the EAS has contributed to promoting cultural dialogueand cooperation, increasing similarities, narrowing differences, and enhancingtrust among its member countries.

He spoke highly of the commitment and support by partnerstowards ASEAN, stressing that these commitments should be translated intoactions through active participation and effective contributions to ASEAN-ledmechanisms.

Applauding the positivecooperation between ASEAN and the US, the official underlined the priority to promoting cooperation in trade, and science, technology, and innovation as key areas and motivationsfor the ASEAN-US cooperation.

It is necessary to strengthen coordination to ensure a sustainable future for the peopleof the two sides through cooperation in health care, education, human resources development, green transition, and sustainable development, he said.

Son suggested the two sides pay more attentionto and provide effective support for the development of sub-regions,contributing to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable growth in the region.

He proposed that ASEAN’spartners should demonstrate respect for and support the central role played by ASEAN,and work together with the group to promote dialogues and consultations, buildtrust, address common challenges, and develop an inclusive, transparent, andrules-based regional structure.

The official affirmed ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea and called on ASEAN’s partners to continuesupporting and responsibly contributing to ASEAN-led efforts in ensuring peace,security, and stability in the sea; and in building a substantive and effectiveCode of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line with international law, includingthe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).

At the meetings, delegates engagedin extensive exchanges of views on international and regional issues. They reviewed cooperationand set out orientations for expanding connections in the future, and discussedthe preparation for the upcoming high-level meetings in September in Indonesia.

ASEAN’s partners affirmedtheir support for the bloc's efforts, balanced and objective approaches, andcommon stance on these issues.

At the ASEAN PMCwith the US, ministers affirmed that they will continue to promote cooperation,towards further fostering the ASEAN–US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

ASEAN welcomed the US’s proposal in implementingthe ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). On this occasion, US Secretary ofState Antony Blinken announced the establishment of the ASEAN-US Centre tosupport these efforts./.