Several ASEAN Senior Officials Meetings (SOM) and Senior Officials meetings between ASEAN and partners took place in Phnom Penh from Sept. 11-14.
They included the ASEAN Joint Preparatory Meeting (JPM), ASEAN SOM, ASEAN+3 SOM and East Asia Summit (EAS) SOM meetings, focussing on preparations for the 21 st ASEAN Summit and related events slated for November.
The ASEAN-China SOM informal consultation on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea and the ASEAN-US SOM meeting to prepare for the fourth ASEAN-US Summit also took place on this occasion.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh, head of ASEAN-Vietnam SOM delegation, joined senior officials of three pillars of the ASEAN Community and partner countries at the events.
The conferences agreed on the agenda and documents of the 21 st ASEAN Summit and related events to be held from Nov. 17-19, 2012. The summit and related events will focus on promoting the building of the ASEAN Community by 2015 and implementing the Charter, enhancing connectivity and expanding cooperative relations with partners based on ASEAN’s central role. Future orientations of ASEAN+1 and ASEAN+3 and EAS and international and regional issues of mutual concern will also be on the agenda.
During discussions, the nations laid special stress on promoting ASEAN solidarity, and expressed their support for and wish that ASEAN further brings into play its central role through settling issues of regional concern, particularly those relating to peace, security and cooperation.
Regarding the East Sea, the countries emphasised the importance of peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea, ensuring the respect of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early achievement of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
ASEAN needs to bring into play its leading role and making orientations for this issue, they said.
On this occasion, ASEAN and Chinese senior officials met for an informal consultation to discuss the process and steps for the early start of official negotiations between both sides on COC.
Addressing the meetings, Vinh said in the face of challenges in the region and the world, ASEAN needs to enhance solidarity and cooperation, accelerate the establishment of the Community, bring into play its key role in the region, especially in dealing with issues related to peace, security and cooperation, uphold the “ASEAN way” of consultation and consensus, and deepen ties with partners in a practical way.
The Deputy Minister stressed that peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea as well as ensuring the respect of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the peaceful settlement of disputes are the common concerns in the interest of the whole region.
He asked ASEAN member countries to continue encouraging constructive dialogues on the issue in the upcoming summits, increase coordination and consultations to seek a common voice, reflecting the bloc’s orienting and guiding role. All sides should fully implement the DOC in a serious and effective manner, and promptly conduct negotiations on building the COC, he said, adding that they must restrain themselves and not to make any move violating the international law and the UNCLOS, further complicating situation in the East Sea , thus contributing to the success of the summits.
On the sidelines of the JPM, Vinh also held bilateral meetings with heads of delegations from several countries to discuss issues of mutual concern.-VNA
They included the ASEAN Joint Preparatory Meeting (JPM), ASEAN SOM, ASEAN+3 SOM and East Asia Summit (EAS) SOM meetings, focussing on preparations for the 21 st ASEAN Summit and related events slated for November.
The ASEAN-China SOM informal consultation on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea and the ASEAN-US SOM meeting to prepare for the fourth ASEAN-US Summit also took place on this occasion.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh, head of ASEAN-Vietnam SOM delegation, joined senior officials of three pillars of the ASEAN Community and partner countries at the events.
The conferences agreed on the agenda and documents of the 21 st ASEAN Summit and related events to be held from Nov. 17-19, 2012. The summit and related events will focus on promoting the building of the ASEAN Community by 2015 and implementing the Charter, enhancing connectivity and expanding cooperative relations with partners based on ASEAN’s central role. Future orientations of ASEAN+1 and ASEAN+3 and EAS and international and regional issues of mutual concern will also be on the agenda.
During discussions, the nations laid special stress on promoting ASEAN solidarity, and expressed their support for and wish that ASEAN further brings into play its central role through settling issues of regional concern, particularly those relating to peace, security and cooperation.
Regarding the East Sea, the countries emphasised the importance of peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea, ensuring the respect of international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the peaceful settlement of disputes, the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early achievement of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
ASEAN needs to bring into play its leading role and making orientations for this issue, they said.
On this occasion, ASEAN and Chinese senior officials met for an informal consultation to discuss the process and steps for the early start of official negotiations between both sides on COC.
Addressing the meetings, Vinh said in the face of challenges in the region and the world, ASEAN needs to enhance solidarity and cooperation, accelerate the establishment of the Community, bring into play its key role in the region, especially in dealing with issues related to peace, security and cooperation, uphold the “ASEAN way” of consultation and consensus, and deepen ties with partners in a practical way.
The Deputy Minister stressed that peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea as well as ensuring the respect of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the peaceful settlement of disputes are the common concerns in the interest of the whole region.
He asked ASEAN member countries to continue encouraging constructive dialogues on the issue in the upcoming summits, increase coordination and consultations to seek a common voice, reflecting the bloc’s orienting and guiding role. All sides should fully implement the DOC in a serious and effective manner, and promptly conduct negotiations on building the COC, he said, adding that they must restrain themselves and not to make any move violating the international law and the UNCLOS, further complicating situation in the East Sea , thus contributing to the success of the summits.
On the sidelines of the JPM, Vinh also held bilateral meetings with heads of delegations from several countries to discuss issues of mutual concern.-VNA
