Manila (VNA) – The 16th meeting of the ASEAN Political-SecurityCommunity (APSC) Council and the 20th ASEAN Coordinating Council(ACC) Meeting took place in Manila, the Philippines, on November 12, inpreparation for the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings.

VietnameseDeputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, on behalf of Deputy Prime Ministerand Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, joined the foreign ministers of the ASEANmember states in these meetings.

Atthe APSC council meeting, participants heard ASEAN Secretary General Le LuongMinh’s report on cooperation in the political-security pillar as well as thecouncil’s work this year.

Theyappreciated the implementation of 80 percent of works of the APSC Master Planand admitted several existing shortcomings, including limitations on resourcesand coordinating work.

Amidcomplicated regional and international situations affecting ASEAN, delegatesstressed the need for the bloc to continue strengthening unity, consultationsand consensus, and promote the central role in contributing to peace, securityand development in the region and the world.

Theyalso reaffirmed the stance and principles agreed during the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministerial Meeting in August, especially in issues of mutualconcern such as counter-terrorism, Rakhine state, Korean Peninsula and the EastSea.

Duringthe 20th ACC Meeting, participants discussed the final preparationsfor the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings slated for November 13-14 inManila.

Theyemphasised the necessity to foster ASEAN connectivity and comprehensive andinclusive growth, narrow development gap, and ensure the ASEAN Communitybuilding process brings about basic and practical benefits for all people.

Theycongratulated Vietnam on successfully completing its role as the APEC Chair in2017, while speaking of the country’s initiative of holding ASEAN-APEC InformalDialogue as this was a good chance for ASEAN to expand its relations withpartners in the Asia-Pacific region.

Atthis meeting, Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan was appointedto ASEAN Vice Secretary General in charge of political-security affairs fromFebruary 2018 to February 2021.

Speakingat the events, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung suggested ASEAN put theconnectivity quality and efficiency on top, implement measures to servepeople’s practical demand, facilitate development of businesses, and promotesustainable growth.-VNA