The 26th ASEAN-RoK dialogue was held in Seoul on July 1. (Photo: VNA) The RoK’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yeo Seung-bae andAmbassador Vu Ho, acting Head of ASEAN SOM Vietnam, co-chaired the event,the first in-person dialogue between ASEAN and a partner after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two sides reviewed their relationship, outlined cooperationorientations and compared notes on regional and international issues.
The RoK said it backs ASEAN’s centrality and pledgedto coordinate with the bloc in implementing the ASEAN Outlook on theIndo-Pacific through practical cooperation programmes and activities.
The country spoke highly of ASEAN’s contributions topeace, cooperation and prosperity in the region over the past years, sayingwith two-way trade revenue of 176 billion USD in 2021, the RoK remained thefourth largest trade partner of the 10-member group.
In his remarks, Ho emphasised that the RoK is astrategic partner of ASEAN and the country has made significant contributionsto the building of the ASEAN Community across pillars.
He highlighted the RoK’s contribution of more than137 million USD to the ASEAN-RoK Cooperation Fund as well as the country’ssupport to the bloc during the pandemic combat over the past two years.
The ambassador suggested the two sides increasecooperation activities towards people, especially in response and recoveryefforts, and work to ensure inclusive growth, and harmonious and sustainabledevelopment.
ASEAN and the RoK should foster partnerships ineducation-training and high-quality personnel development, he said, adding thata seminar on post-pandemic workforce should be organised soon.
He also urged the two sides restore, promote anddiversify cooperation in such spheres as culture, communications, education,arts, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchange, and proposed organisingKorean Day in ASEAN.
The ambassador appreciated the RoK’s support forASEAN’s stance on the East Sea, and called on the country to coordinate with the bloc in turningthe East Sea into the waters of peace, friendship and cooperation.
Participants shared the view that it is time forthe two sides to support each other after COVID-19, work towards sustainabledevelopment, boost trade and tourism collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges.
They expressed their hope for the early establishment ofan industrial innovation centre to support businesses, promote trade andinvestment ties and connect people of the two sides.
At the dialogue (Photo: VNA) The countries agreed that priorities will be givento food security, energy transition, smart city building, digitaltransformation, digital economy, green development and climate change response,among others.
ASEAN countries appreciated the RoK’s commitment tocooperation in responding to emerging non-traditional security challenges suchas terrorism, transnational crime, and cyber and maritime security.
Regarding the regional and international situation,ASEAN and the RoK consented to make efforts to contribute to ensuring peace,security and stability in both Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, thereby contributingto building an Asia-Indo-Pacific environment favourable for development.
The RoK spoke highly of ASEAN's stance on issues related to the Korean Peninsula and pledged to maintain meetings and dialogues between the RoK and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to peacefully achieve denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula.
The RoK also voiced its support for ASEAN's principled viewpoint on the East Sea, including efforts to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and build an effective and efficient Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The country also heightened ASEAN's role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation in and assist Myanmar in seeking solutions to stabilise the situation.
The 27th ASEAN-RoK Dialogue is scheduled to be heldin Vietnam in 2023./.
The 27th ASEAN-RoK Dialogue is scheduled to be heldin Vietnam in 2023./.
VNA
