Vietnam promotes peaceful future in Indian Ocean
Hanoi(VNA) – Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet joined over 300 senior
officials, researchers, and scholars from more than 30 countries worldwide at the
6th Indian
Ocean Conference (IOC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh from May 12-13.
In his speech at the plenary session, the Vietnamese official shared his
assessment 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 as
non-traditional security issues.
He conveyed a three-point message for a peaceful, prosperous and solid future of
the region, stressing the need to build an open and inclusive regional
architecture based on fundamental principles of international law with ASEAN
playing the central role; enhance mutual understanding and respect, build trust
and conduct an independent and self-reliant foreign policy in the context of
competition among major powers; and promote cooperation and partnership, especially
maritime cooperation, through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms and a
comprehensive approach.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the importance of respecting and complying with
international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS); and the necessity to respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction, and legitimate maritime interests of each country
in accordance with international law, and resolve disputes and differences through
peaceful measures in line with international law.
Viet highlighted ASEAN’s efforts in implementing the Declaration
of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and building a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the
East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.
He proposed strengthening cooperation and connectivity among countries in
the Indo-Pacific region, especially with ASEAN member countries, in promoting
sustainable development, turning the blue-sea economy into a motivation for sustainable
and inclusive economic growth, and addressing non-traditional challenges.
In the framework of the conference Deputy FM Viet
had bilateral meetings with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Tharaka
Balasuriya, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts
and Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs
Saurabh Kumar.
During their meeting, Viet and Balasuriya affirmed
that Vietnam and Sri Lanka will continue to coordinate and support each other at
international forums, and agreed to soon organise meetings of important bilateral
cooperation mechanisms; strengthen cooperation on Buddhism and spiritual tourism;
consider the opening of air routes connecting the two countries, and seek solutions to
expand two-way trade and investment in the coming time.
Meeting with Viet, Tim Watts affirmed that cooperation with
Vietnam is always Australia's priority in both bilateral and multilateral
frameworks. For his part, the Vietnamese official suggested the two countries fully tap the growth momentum
of bilateral trade; facilitate cooperation in agriculture, labour and tourism;
and expand cooperation to new areas of mutual benefit such as climate change
response, digital economy, and energy transition.
During his meeting with the Indian official, Deputy FM Viet affirmed
Vietnam's consistent policy of attaching importance to the traditional friendship
and comprehensive strategic partnership with India. He suggested the two sides strengthen
the exchange of high-ranking delegations, bolster cooperation in trade,
investment, tourism, culture, people-to-people, and security - defence; and
closely coordinate at multilateral forums.
Saurabh Kumar said India will continue to further
expand cooperation with Vietnam, especially in trade, oil and gas, and defence,
and at international forums.
Themed
“Peace, Prosperity & Partnership for a
Resilient Future”, the 6th IOC discussed issues related to politics,
economy, security, environment, and climate change, contributing to creating a
premise for countries in and outside the region to promote cooperation, toward building
an environment of peace, development and prosperity./.