Vietnam shares concerns about the situation in the East Sea at ARF 25
Regarding the situation in the East Sea, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh shared concerns about activities taking place in the field, eroding trust, increasing tensions and harming peace and security.
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Representatives of countries attending the 25th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Singapore on August 4. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA) |
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh led the Vietnamese delegation to the conference.
The conference agreed that over the past 25 years of establishment and development, the ARF has continued to affirm its role as one of the key forums for dialogue and cooperation on politics and security, building trust and implementing preventive diplomacy in the region.
The conference agreed that the ARF needs to adhere to the agreed basic principles, including decisions by consensus, gradual development, a comfortable pace with all parties as well as respect for ASEAN's central role; continue to implement confidence-building measures along with implementing preventive diplomacy, fully and effectively deploy the Hanoi Plan of Action, and implement the ARF Vision 2020 through practical activities to effectively respond to security challenges that are becoming increasingly complex in the region.
On the other hand, the ARF needs to strengthen coordination with other ASEAN and regional security-defense cooperation frameworks and mechanisms, as well as continue to maintain relations with research institutions to seek advice.
On this occasion, the ministers agreed to adopt the ARF Declaration on Disaster Relief Cooperation, the ARF Action Plan for the 2018-2019 Inter-Sessional Year, and the ARF Work Plans on Maritime Security and Disaster Relief for the 2018-2020 period.
Discussing the international and regional situation, the ministers emphasized the importance of the rules-based international order and the role of multilateral organizations, considering this a pillar for international peace, stability and development.
On regional issues, the ministers welcomed recent positive developments and called on relevant parties to fully and seriously implement the agreements reached to ensure lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.
The ministers also shared concerns about emerging security challenges, including terrorism, transnational crime, maritime security, cyber security, natural disasters, etc. Accordingly, they agreed on the need to further promote cooperation within the framework of the ARF and other regional mechanisms to effectively respond to these challenges.
Regarding the situation in the East Sea, the ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.
Many ministers raised concerns about activities that erode trust, including militarization, increase tensions and undermine peace, security and stability in the region.
The ministers stressed the need to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that may complicate the situation or increase tensions; peacefully resolve disputes on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), respect diplomatic and legal processes; refrain from the use or threat of force and non-militarization; fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon reach an effective Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh highly appreciated the role and contributions of ARF in recent times, including promoting dialogue, cooperation in building trust and responding to security challenges.
The Deputy Prime Minister suggested that ARF should continue to focus on effectively implementing the Hanoi Action Plan and agreed work plans, while continuing to make improvements and innovations in its operating methods to flexibly adapt to changes in the regional and international situation.
Regarding the situation in the East Sea, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh expressed concern about activities taking place in the field, eroding trust, increasing tension and harming regional peace and security; and requested that parties exercise restraint, not take actions that complicate the situation, resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, and refrain from militarization, thereby creating a favorable environment for maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh also announced Vietnam's initiatives to host the ARF Workshop on Enhancing Cooperation Between Law Enforcement Forces at Sea and the ARF Workshop on Applying UNCLOS 1982 and International Legal Instruments to Respond to Challenges at Sea./.