At a ceremony to announce result of ASEAN Year 2020 (Photo: VNA) Phnom Penh (VNA) - TheCambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC) issueda press release on the outcomes of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM),the 22nd ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, and the 28th ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting, held via teleconferences on November 12.
The meetings were heldahead of the 37th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, scheduled for November12-15.
Regarding the AMM, theCambodian side said ministers discussed preparations for the 37th ASEANSummit and their viewpoints on important developments in the region, ASEAN’s relationswith external partners, and regional and global issues of mutual concern.
The meeting highlightedthe importance of regional efforts to build an ASEAN Community and promoted a rule-based regional with ASEAN-centre regional architecture.
ASEAN foreign ministersshared their views on the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership(RCEP), which is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the 37th ASEAN Summit, saying the deal is evidence of ASEAN’s strong commitments to promotinga multilateral trade system. The bloc’s response to COVID-19 and natural disasterswas also under discussion.
On the East Sea issue,they reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting the East Sea as an areaof peace, stability, and prosperity, as well as ASEAN’s commitments to cooperatingwith China to reach a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
As regards the 22nd APSC CouncilMeeting, the parties looked into the implementation of the ASEAN Political-SecurityCommunity plan, which is one of the three pillars of the ASEAN Community Vision2025.
They spoke highly of the cooperative effortsmade within the framework of the APSC pillar despite COVID-19.
The meeting underlined a need to take actionto boost trust in maritime cooperation, including holding workshops on ocean wasteand greater cooperation in ensuring fair and humanitarian treatment to fishermenin the East Sea.
On the occasion, Cambodian Secretary ofState and head of the MFAIC’s SOM ASEAN, Eat Sophea,mentioned the importance of the ASEAN Regional Mine Center in the humanitarian aspect./.
