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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chairs the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) on November 10 – Photo: BNG
In the framework of preparations for the 37th ASEAN Summit and related high-level meetings, on the morning of November 10, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh chaired the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) which was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the ASEAN countries and the Secretary General of ASEAN.
Speaking of the regional international situation, ASEAN foreign ministers assessed 2020 as a challenging, difficult and unstable year with the COVID-19 outbreak and widespread competition between countries. a growing strategic power with traditional and non-traditional security concerns.
Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry also stated that when referring to the South China Sea, “the foreign ministers basically agreed that the South China Sea continues to be an emerging problem in the international and regional situation, many unilateral actions, including militarization , which requires unfounded sovereignty, imposes behaviors that continue to be a concern for peace and stability in the South China Sea in particular and the region in general. “
In this context, the countries reaffirmed ASEAN’s principled position on peace and stability in the South China Sea, defending the role of international law, the important role of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS) 1982 as a framework for all activities at sea.
The foreign ministers continued to call for the serious and full implementation of the Declaration of the Parties on the Conduct of the South China Sea (DOC), hoping that ASEAN and China will soon build a successful Code of Conduct in the South China Sea ( COC). ) effective, efficient, in accordance with international law and UNCOLS 1982.
With regard to Myanmar’s Rakhine State, the ministers highly appreciated the efforts of the ASEAN Secretary-General to sustain activities in support of Myanmar despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministers promised that ASEAN would do more to support the repatriation process in order to achieve concrete results.
They also emphasized the importance of maintaining the centrality of ASEAN in the region. On this occasion, the foreign ministers discussed the Criteria for considering the establishment of an ASEAN dialogue partnership. The meeting agreed to allow Colombia, Cuba and South Africa to adhere to the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) and to hold the signing ceremony to adhere to the TAC of these countries according to the agreed schedule.
The ministers also indicated that the contents of the cooperation should continue to be promoted in the process of recovery and recovery of post-pandemic growth. That is ensuring the continuity of the supply chain, reestablishing safe trade between countries, concluding negotiations and signing next-generation trade agreements like the RCEP, and strengthening cooperation to close the gap. development in ASEAN by enhancing cooperation activities between subregions.
Addressing the international and regional situation, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minh highly valued ASEAN solidarity, regarding it as a key factor in ensuring ASEAN peace, stability, independence and autonomy in the environment. The world market has many uncertainties and uncertainties today.
Mr. Pham Binh Minh reiterated ASEAN’s general position on the South China Sea, emphasizing the need to restrict and prevent actions that complicate the situation and harm the legitimate rights and interests of coastal countries.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the spirit of the rule of law, sharing with other countries views on the special importance of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the basic document, which is the framework for all activities. at sea. Vietnam is committed to working closely with the ASEAN countries and China in the full and effective implementation of the DOC and to soon achieve an effective, substantive and coherent COC in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.
