Hanoi (VNA) – ASEAN Foreign Ministers reiteratedthe grouping’s resolve to resume negotiations on the Code of Conduct in theEast Sea (COC) with China, during the 22nd ASEAN Political-SecurityCommunity (APSC) Council Meeting held online on November 10.
At the meeting, the ministers rejoiced at the new andpragmatic developments of the APSC despite a range of difficulties andchallenges, as well as the adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
They highly valued the contributions of relevantagencies under the APSC, such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC), to thepandemic fight over the past time.
The ministers said up to 98 percent of the APSC actionplan has been completed, describing this as a hallmark in the ASEAN Community building.
However, more works need to be done in the time ahead,they said, urging the agencies under the APSC to accelerate the implementationof the remaining action lines, and revamp their operation methods proactivelyand flexibly.
They stressed the significance of the ASEAN Outlook onthe Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the statement issued by ASEAN FMs on the occasionof the 53rd anniversary of the grouping (August 8, 1967).
ASEAN needs to carry forward the principles stated inthese important documents and work harder to materialise the commitments includedin the documents, they said./.