PM attends ASEAN summits with partners in Malaysia

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (fourth from left) at the ASEAN-China Summit (Source: VNA)

In his speeches, the Vietnamese Government leader asked concerned parties to effectively realise previously set action plans that focus on trade, investment, connectivity, response to climate change, trans-border issues, and sustainable and uniform development in the region.

He described the maintenance of peace, security and stability as a prerequisite for successful cooperation across diverse areas, as well as a common interest and responsibility of ASEAN, its partners and the international community.

Expressing concern over complicated developments in the East Sea, particularly the massive land reclamation that has eroded trust and exacerbated tension in the region, he asked parties concerned to strengthen trust building and preventive diplomac and follow principles such as exercising restraint; refraining from the use or threat of force; and peacefully settling disputes in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, toward reaching a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

The leader also hailed initiatives to maintain peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea.

At the summits, partner countries hailed the historic significance of the ASEAN Community slated to start later this year. They pledged their support for the ASEAN Vision 2025 and the bloc’s central role in emerging regional architecture.

At the ASEAN-China Summit, both sides agreed to lift bilateral trade to 1 trillion USD and two-way investment to 150 billion USD by 2020.

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN-China partnership next year, they chose to make 2016 the year of education cooperation, packed with cultural and youth exchanges, and the ASEAN-China young entrepreneurs’ forum.

Meanwhile, ASEAN and India are aiming for two-way trade of 200 billion USD by 2022, as set in their new action plan for 2016-2020, which covers economy, trade, connectivity, science-technology, renewable energy, food security, tourism and climate change.

They are to step up connectivity in infrastructure, institution and human aspects with discussions on the ASEAN-India Maritime Transport Agreement.

At the ASEAN-US Summit, the two sides agreed to establish a strategic partnership and hold the ASEAN-US Special Summit in 2016.

They affirmed their commitment to fighting trans-national crimes – particularly terrorism, human trafficking, piracy and wildlife smuggling. They also agreed to boost trade, investment, connectivity, maritime and youth collaboration, as well as response to natural disasters and climate change.

The ASEAN+3 Summit, in the meantime, adopted a final report on launching the East Asia Vision Group II’s recommendations. The participants agreed on priority links across economy, trade, connectivity, financial stability, tourism, education, information, science, technology, health care, disaster control, climate change mitigation, agro-forestry-fisheries, food and energy security, and environment.

Further agreements on settling traditional and non-traditional security issues were also reached.

Leaders of ASEAN+3 countries also met with the East Asia Business Council.-VNA