ASEAN needs to continue to unite and bring into full play its role toensure peace, security and development in the region, Prime MinisterNguyen Tan Dung has said.
Speaking at the 22ndASEAN Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, Dung emphasised theseefforts are also necessary to enhance cooperation to effectively copewith current challenges such as the global economic crisis, naturaldisasters, climate change, maritime security and epidemics.
In order to fulfil the targets, ASEAN should make the best use ofcooperation tools and mechanisms such as the Treaty of Amity andCooperation (TAC), the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty(SEANWFZ), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC), the Declaration on the East Asia Summit on principles formutually beneficial relations, the ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEANDefence Ministers’ Meeting Plus, he said.
Regardingthe East Sea issue, the PM proposed the ten-member association raisetheir united voice for peace, stability, maritime security and safetyin the East Sea.
He noted the effectiveimplementation of commitments and agreements such as the Declaration onSix-point Principles on the East Sea, and the ASEAN-China jointstatement on the 10 th anniversary of the DOC signing, the settlementof disputes by peaceful measures, the respect of international law -especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) -and the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
Affirming Vietnam ’s support for Thailand as thecoordinator in the ASEAN and China dialogue relations, Dungunderlined that the two sides need to accelerate negotiations tofinalise the COC on the occasion of the 10 th anniversary of theASEAN-China partnership.
The leader praised Bruneias the 2013 ASEAN Chair and highlighted the group’s priorities,including the formation of the ASEAN Community by 2015 and the Roadmapfor an ASEAN Community based on three pillars, namely ASEANPolitical-Security, the ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEANSocial-Cultural Community.
Dung’s views wereshared by other ASEAN leaders, who agreed that the East Sea issueis a matter of concern of the entire association as it relates to peaceand security in the region.
On this occasion,participating countries raised their concern over the tension in theKorean peninsula, and called on relevant parties to restrain for apeaceful, stable and nuclear-weapon-free peninsula.
They agreed to promote ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regionalarchitecture and enhance cooperation with partners such as Japan,China, India, the US, the Republic of Korea, Russia and theEU.
The partners are encouraged to strengthencooperation and contribute to peace, security, stability and trustbuilding and development in the region.
Themed “Our People, Our Future Together”, the event is the first ASEAN summit this year under the chairmanship of Brunei.-VNA