An overview of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (AMMR) in Phnom Penh on February 17. (Photo: AFP/VNA) He made the call while addressing the ASEAN ForeignMinisters’ Meeting Retreat (AMMR), which was held both in person and virtually in PhnomPenh capital of Cambodia - Chair of the bloc in 2022, on February 16 and 17.
Speaking at the event,Minister Son asked ASEAN to press on with implementing COVID-19 responseinitiatives such as the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and the ASEANTravel Corridor Arrangement Framework. He also proposed mutual recognition of “vaccinepassports” in the region so as to resume travel soon and facilitate comprehensiverecovery, adding that attention should be paid to capacity building andtechnology transfer in order to stay ready to cope with new emergencies similarto the pandemic.
With regard to the buildingof the Post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision, he urged that the bloc early consolidate thehigh-level task force and make thorough preparations so that the ASEANCommunity can adapt to and effectively respond to emerging complexchallenges amid the fast-changing geo-political situation in the region and theworld.
He recommended reinforcingsolidarity, unity, dialogue, and cooperation to serve as the basis for a strongand resilient Community; upholding the bloc’s centrality; improving the effectivenessof ASEAN-led mechanisms; and keeping balance in its relations with partners,thereby contributing to regional and global peace, cooperation, anddevelopment.
Son also called for continuedcooperation to narrow the development gap in the region and boost sustainabledevelopment and inclusive growth in sub-regions of ASEAN.
Sharing other countries’concern about the complicated developments and unexpected incidents in the EastSea, the Vietnamese official stressed the importance of ensuring peace, security,and safety of navigation and overflight in the waters; complying withinternational law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),so as to maintain the East Sea as a sea of peace, stability, and cooperation;continuing to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (DOC); and soon achieving a substantive and effectiveCode of Conduct (COC) that matches international law, including the 1982UNCLOS.
He also welcomed the proposalto celebrate the DOC’s 20th anniversary and the UNCLOS’s 40th anniversary in 2022.
Regarding the Myanmarissue, Minister Son affirmed Vietnam's readiness to join hands with other countriesto assist Myanmar to overcome these trying times, voicing support for the continuedeffective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
He also proposed strongercooperation within ASEAN and between the bloc and partners to deal withemerging non-traditional security challenges, including those related to cybersecurity, maritime security, water resource security, climate change, andenvironmental pollution, as well as new challenges caused by the COVID-19pandemic.
During the AMMR, participantshighly valued the ASEAN theme for 2022, “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing ChallengesTogether”, expressing their support for the priorities and initiativessuggested by Cambodia. They pledged close cooperation with the Chair of thebloc to carry out the initiatives.
They agreed on the need tosustain solidarity and unity in ASEAN; expand and intensify the bloc’s externalrelations; strengthen its centrality in an open, transparent, inclusive, andrules-based regional architecture; promote multilateralism; improveASEAN-chaired and -led mechanisms; and effectively help promote peace,stability, sustainable development, and prosperity in the region.
The ministers also discussed someinternational and regional issues of common concern, including the East Sea andMyanmar issues./.
VNA
