Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet speaks at the conference's plenary session (Photo: VNA) Hanoi(VNA) – Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet joined over 300 seniorofficials, researchers, and scholars from more than 30 countries worldwide at the6th IndianOcean Conference (IOC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh from May 12-13.
In his speech at the plenary session, the Vietnamese official shared hisassessment of the situation in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific regions,especially major challenges facing the region due to the impact of conflicts,disputes, and strategic competition among major powers, as well asnon-traditional security issues.
He conveyed a three-point message for a peaceful, prosperous and solid future ofthe region, stressing the need to build an open and inclusive regionalarchitecture based on fundamental principles of international law with ASEANplaying the central role; enhance mutual understanding and respect, build trustand conduct an independent and self-reliant foreign policy in the context ofcompetition among major powers; and promote cooperation and partnership, especiallymaritime cooperation, through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and acomprehensive approach.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the importance of respecting and complying withinternational law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention onthe Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS); and the necessity to respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction, and legitimate maritime interests of each countryin accordance with international law, and resolve disputes and differences throughpeaceful measures in line with international law.
Viet highlighted ASEAN’s efforts in implementing the Declarationof the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and building a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in theEast Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.
He proposed strengthening cooperation and connectivity among countries inthe Indo-Pacific region, especially with ASEAN member countries, in promotingsustainable development, turning the blue-sea economy into a motivation for sustainableand inclusive economic growth, and addressing non-traditional challenges.
In the framework of the conference Deputy FM Viethad bilateral meetings with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka TharakaBalasuriya, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Wattsand Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External AffairsSaurabh Kumar.
During their meeting, Viet and Balasuriya affirmedthat Vietnam and Sri Lanka will continue to coordinate and support each other atinternational forums, and agreed to soon organise meetings of important bilateralcooperation mechanisms; strengthen cooperation on Buddhism and spiritual tourism;consider the opening of air routes connecting the two countries, and seek solutions toexpand two-way trade and investment in the coming time.
Meeting with Viet, Tim Watts affirmed that cooperation withVietnam is always Australia's priority in both bilateral and multilateralframeworks. For his part, the Vietnamese official suggested the two countries fully tap the growth momentumof bilateral trade; facilitate cooperation in agriculture, labour and tourism;and expand cooperation to new areas of mutual benefit such as climate changeresponse, digital economy, and energy transition.
During his meeting with the Indian official, Deputy FM Viet affirmedVietnam's consistent policy of attaching importance to the traditional friendshipand comprehensive strategic partnership with India. He suggested the two sides strengthenthe exchange of high-ranking delegations, bolster cooperation in trade,investment, tourism, culture, people-to-people, and security - defence; andclosely coordinate at multilateral forums.
Saurabh Kumar said India will continue to furtherexpand cooperation with Vietnam, especially in trade, oil and gas, and defence,and at international forums.
Themed“Peace, Prosperity & Partnership for aResilient Future”, the 6th IOC discussed issues related to politics,economy, security, environment, and climate change, contributing to creating apremise for countries in and outside the region to promote cooperation, toward buildingan environment of peace, development and prosperity./.
