Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Vice Admiral Tran Thanh Nghiem, Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, has stressed Vietnam’s strong commitment to regional cooperation when he attended the 19th ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM-19) that opened on August 19 in Penang, Malaysia.
In his remarks at the plenary session, Nghiem emphasised that ASEAN navies must strengthen the bloc's maritime security, enhance cooperation, and adopt effective collective responses for the common interests of all nations. He emphasised the importance of fostering mutual understanding and trust through responsible participation in both bilateral and multilateral activities within the ANCM framework, as well as other mechanisms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM+.
The Vietnamese officer called on the ASEAN navies to step up information sharing and coordination in responding to maritime issues, while working to update and standardise operational procedures. He underscored the need to peacefully resolve disputes and differences at sea based on the respect for independence, sovereignty, and legitimate interests of nations; respect international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and look to the finalisation of a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
He affirmed that the Vietnam People’s Navy stands ready to work closely with its ASEAN counterparts to address security challenges, contributing to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous regional marine environment.
On this occasion, the ASEAN Naval Review will be held on August 21 and the third ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise (AMNEX-3) will take place from August 15-22, with the participation of 10 naval ships and 1,350 officers and personnel from ASEAN countries. The Vietnam People’s Navy dispatched frigate 016 – Quang Trung, together with a working delegation led by Colonel Nguyen Vinh Nam, Deputy Commander of Naval Region 4, to take part in AMNEX-3./.
