Heads of delegation to ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (Source: VNA) Singapore (VNA) – Vietnam’s DeputyPrime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh welcomed theSingapore-proposed theme of building a resilient and innovative Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) while addressing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’Retreat (AMM Retreat) in Singapore on February 5-6.
He affirmed that Vietnam will work closely withother bloc member nations to ensure the success of ASEAN 2018.
The diplomat said regional self-reliance shouldbe promoted in all aspects, both politically and economically, to create amomentum for ASEAN to push ahead with a new development period.
Additionally, the association needs to highlyappreciate fundamental principles to strengthen solidarity and unification,especially seeking a common voice in regional matters of mutual concerns andbenefits.
While mentioning ASEAN external relations, Minhproposed ASEN build a balanced and effective approach to extra-bloc relations.It is necessary to improve the operational efficiency of mechanisms and forumsset up by ASEAN as tools to maintain its central role in the region.
He suggested member countries stand firm withASEAN viewpoints about regional and international issues of mutual concerns,including those on the East Sea issue.
The ASEAN member states should be fully aware ofpeace, stability, security and safety of aviation and navigation in the EastSea as well as reiterate commitments to resolving disputes via peaceful meansand in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law ofthe Sea 1982 (UNCLOS), he said.
During the process of building the Code ofConduct in the East Sea (COC), countries need to implement fully the Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the Ease Sea (DOC) and speed up measures toreinforce trust, Minh said.
He hoped ASEAN and China will have morepractical exchanges to reach an effective and binding COC, making significantcontributions to promoting peace and stability in the region.
During the AMM Retreat, ministers reviewed theimplementation of the outcomes of the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila in November2017 and defined cooperation priorities in 2018.
They agreed to build an ASEAN of resilience andinnovation, stressing that increasing all-faceted self-reliance of the regionin politics-security and economics-trade aims to strengthen solidarity and the centralrole of ASEAN.
Concluding the AMM Retreat, the host Singapore asChairman of ASEAN 2018 issued a joint press statement on the outcomes of themeeting.-VNA
VNA
