Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung proposed strengthening regional, inter-regional and global mechanisms on dialogue and cooperation at a session of the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit that closed in Milan, Italy on October 17.

In his speech at the session on enhancing dialogue and cooperation between Europe and Asia and future direction of ASEM, he also called for preventive diplomatic actions that contribute to a sustainable and transparent security architecture, which can respond to changes and ensure interests of all countries.

PM Dung said while Asia-the Pacific region is a driving force of global economic growth and linkages, the situation here is facing many risks of instability. He expressed Vietnam’s special concern about the recent serious developments and violations of international law in the East Sea. At the same time, the PM affirmed that Vietnam is consistent in its stance on joining ASEAN members and the international community, including ASEM members, in promoting dialogue and exerting all efforts in line with international law to maintain peace, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation as well as cooperation for development in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific.

The decisive point is to exercise restraint, not to use or threat to use force, prevent acts that can cause tension and settle disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of international law including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, while fully and seriously observing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the East Sea and working together to build a Code of Conduct on the East Sea, the PM said.

He said as a country torn by the war throughout decades, Vietnam is fully aware of its responsibility for playing a constructive role, together with ASEM members, in maintaining peace, security, stability in the Southeast Asia, the Asia and Europe continents and the world.

At the session, participating leaders focused their discussion on issues related to peace, security, terrorism, non-proliferation of nuclear and mass destruction weapons, human trafficking, maritime security and piracy.

They pledged support for ASEAN’s efforts to build a common community by 2015, its post-2015 agenda and ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional architecture.

They also spoke highly of ASEAN’s stronger ties with the European Union and other European partners.
The session agreed on the need to increase collaboration to maintain peace, security and stability. The leaders vowed to make efforts to ensure security, safety, maritime and aviation safety and freedom as well as free trade in the principle of refraining from the use of force or threat to use force, and abiding by international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Later the same day, the 10th ASEM summit wrapped up with a chair’s statement detailing a number of key issues and passed 27 initiatives, with three from Vietnam, including a workshop on sustainable water resource management for food security, a youth week appealing for stronger action to deal with poverty challenge, and a conference on green skills towards comprehensive and sustainable growth.

Concluding the event, participants agreed to establish 16 specialised working groups responsible for realising orientations for the 2014-2016 period.-VNA