Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had separate meetings with his Malaysian and Myanmar counterparts in Bali, Indonesia on Nov. 15.

Minister Minh and his counterparts are in Bali to attend the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings on the threshold of the ASEAN Summit.

At the meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifan Aman, the two ministers highly valued recent important progresses in Vietnam-Malaysia relations.

They discussed measures to strengthen bilateral ties, especially those to speed up the implementation of agreements reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders as well as the signing of some cooperation agreements in specific areas.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two ministers emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, maritime safety and freedom in the East Sea; respecting international laws, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and fully implementing the Declaration on Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

They agreed to strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels and share views on regional and international issues of common concern.

While meeting with Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, Minh applauded the positive results of Myanmar ’s national concord, socio-economic development and foreign policies.

He stressed Vietnam ’s consistent foreign policy of attaching importance to strengthening the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Myanmar .

Vietnam supports Myanmar ’s hosting of ASEAN Chair in 2014 and welcomes the ASEAN consensus in this issue, he said.

The Vietnamese minister suggested Myanmar continue creating favourable conditions and supporting Vietnamese businesses which are operating in the country.

The two ministers discussed several regional and international issues of common concern, including ensuring a sustainable development in the Mekong region to boost socio-economic development, improve the life of people and protect the environment in the riverside countries./.