PM Pham Minh Chinh at the 41st ASEAN Summit (Retreat) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 11 (Photo: VNA) The41st summit focused on the bloc’s external relations, the regional architecture,and regional and international issues of common concern.
Inhis remarks, PM Chinh underlined the uncertainty, instability, andunpredictability of the international and regional situation, with theemergence of traditional and non-traditional challenges, disrupted supply chains,inflation, energy and food security issues, complex developments of strategiccompetition among superpowers, as well as geopolitical changes.
Hereaffirmed the importance of solidarity maintenance, internal strengthpromotion, a sense of responsibility, a balanced and objective approach, andpersistence in the association’s principles, which have constituted theattractiveness of ASEAN as seen in partners’ willingness to enhance and upgradecooperation with the bloc and in the partners’ full presence at this time’ssummits.
Tofurther augment the effectiveness of external relations, the PM called forincreasing coordination with partners in common efforts to contribute to peace,security and development; consolidate the intra-bloc cohesion so that partnerstruly respect and support ASEAN’s centrality, and commit to long-termcooperation with the bloc through ASEAN-led mechanisms.
Asthe coordinator of the ASEAN - Republic of Korea relations, Vietnam will joinother countries to develop these ties in an increasingly substantive andeffective manner, he went on.
Regardinginternational and regional issues, PM Chinh emphasised that ASEAN should adopta steadfast, skillful, harmonious, and balanced approach to hot issues in theregion. He also shared the association’s viewpoints on the East Sea, Myanmar,and Russia - Ukraine conflict issues.
Togetherwith other ASEAN leaders, the Vietnamese leader stressed the need to solidify ASEAN’sprincipled stance on the East Sea issue and asked for stronger cooperation in marineenvironment conservation, humanitarian assistance for fishermen and seafarers,and response to illegal fishing.
ASEAN leaders at the 41st ASEAN Summit (Retreat) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 11. (Photo: VNA) TheGovernment leader of Vietnam also underscored the need for proactiveassistance, urging the parties concerned in Myanmar to show their sense ofresponsibility and goodwill cooperation to promote the effective andcomprehensive implementation of the Five-Point Consensus for a future ofstability and development in the country, the Myanmar people’s happiness andinterests, as well as ASEAN’s solidarity, image, and reputation.
Sharingthe common concern about the Russia - Ukraine conflict, PM Chinh highlightedthe significance and value of peace and affirmed that respecting independence,sovereignty and territorial integrity is a fundamental principle ofinternational relations and also a prerequisite for making international peaceand security.
Atthe summit, ASEAN leaders shared the view on fast and unpredictable changes ofthe geopolitical environment, strategic friction among superpowers, growingtensions in many hotspots, and complex developments of non-traditional securityissues like disease outbreaks, natural disasters, climate change, and energy andfood security, which have substantially affected countries in the region andASEAN.
Theystressed that more than ever, ASEAN needs to strengthensolidarity and self-reliance, take an overarching approach and strategic vision,responsibly contribute to the settlement of emerging challenges, and promote sustainablerecovery and inclusive growth for the sake of people’s life and interest.
Interms of ASEAN’s external relations, the leaders applauded the substantivestrides in the bloc’s cooperation with partners. They also highly valued thepractical cooperation progammes and projects with partners, which they saidare important contributions to the ASEAN Community building and theformation of a favourable environment for peace, stability, and sustainabledevelopment.
Talkingabout such international and regional issues as the East Sea, Myanmar, theKorean Peninsula, and the Russia - Ukraine conflict, they affirmed countries’responsibility for maintaining peace, security, and stability in the East Seawhile stressing the importance of full and effective implementation of theDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and efforts tosoon finalise an effective and substantive code of conduct (DOC) in the waters thatmatches international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of theSea (UNCLOS).
Theleaders also voiced their concern about the Myanmar situation and that theFive-Point Consensus implementation has yet to make progress as expected.
Theyaffirmed that Myanmar is an ASEAN member and agreed to continue helping thecountry overcome the current trying times, support efforts by the ASEAN Chair’sSpecial Envoy on Myanmar, and approve the decisions about the Consensus implementation./.
VNA
