Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung: Turn the East Sea into a zone of peace

At the 10th East Asia Summit (EAS) on November 22, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that Vietnam always advocates doing its utmost with other countries to turn the East Sea into an area of ​​peace, stability and cooperation for development.

Leaders at the 10th East Asia Summit.

At the Conference, right at the opening session, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was invited to speak as a guest of the President.

Partners welcomed and highlighted the important historical significance of the formation of the ASEAN Community in 2015 in the integration process of ASEAN and the region in general, promoting ASEAN towards a politically cohesive, economically connected and socially responsible community; affirmed to continue to support and assist ASEAN in realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

The leaders highly appreciated the recent results of ASEAN cooperation, discussed and proposed many practical measures to further develop relations between ASEAN and its partners in the coming time.

At the Conference, the leaders continued to affirm the nature of the EAS as a forum for leaders to have strategic dialogue on political, security and economic issues of common concern to promote peace, stability and prosperity in East Asia; reaffirmed ASEAN's central role in the EAS process and ASEAN's commitment to closely coordinate with EAS participating countries to ensure that the EAS will become an important component of the regional structure; and strengthened the EAS through a number of measures, especially the mechanism for implementing decisions of senior leaders.

On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of its establishment, the leaders adopted the EAS 10th Anniversary Declaration, and committed to promoting cooperation in six priority areas: energy, education, finance, global health, environment and disaster management, and ASEAN connectivity.

Accordingly, the Conference welcomed the review of the EAS Action Plan on Education Cooperation for the period 2011-2015 to prepare for the development of a new plan; adopted the Malaria Elimination Roadmap of the Alliance of Asia-Pacific Leaders, adopted the EAS Declarations on Strengthening Regional Maritime Cooperation in Asia-Pacific, the global moderate movement, strengthening regional health security related to infectious diseases with the potential to break out into epidemics, security issues in the use of information and communication technology, and combating violent extremism.

At the above conferences, leaders also exchanged opinions on the regional and international situation, especially issues affecting regional peace and security such as counter-terrorism, maritime security, climate change, etc.

Regarding the East Sea issue, many countries shared deep concerns about recent and ongoing developments in the East Sea, including the reclamation of islands/reefs, eroding trust and threatening peace, security and stability in the East Sea.

The countries emphasized the common interests and importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; ensuring effective and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), building and promoting trust, self-restraint, not using or threatening to use force, committing not to pursue militarization of structures in the East Sea; resolving disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); welcoming the commitment between ASEAN and China to move to a new phase of consultation on the development of the COC and striving to soon reach the COC.

Vietnam advocates working with other countries to turn the East Sea into a zone of peace.

Speaking at the Conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung shared his assessment of the positive developments in relations between ASEAN and its partners, highly appreciated and asked partner countries to continue supporting ASEAN in building the community and playing a central role in the region, contributing to enhancing trust and confidence for peace, security and development in the region and the world.

Regarding directions to strengthen relations between ASEAN and its partners in the coming time, the Prime Minister suggested focusing on areas of common interest such as education, narrowing the development gap, agriculture, connectivity, sub-regional cooperation, and responding to non-traditional security challenges.

Regarding the international and regional situation, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized the need to maintain a peaceful and stable environment for development.

Regarding the East Sea, the Prime Minister emphasized that peace and security in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia are always linked to ensuring peace and stability at sea, especially in the East Sea. We have witnessed many efforts and certain results in promoting security and cooperation in the East Sea. However, recent complicated developments in the East Sea, especially large-scale reclamation and construction activities of islands/reefs, have caused deep concern to the international community, increased tensions, eroded trust, created serious and long-term consequences, including the risk of militarization and conflict, affecting peace and security in the region.

“Reality has raised the objective requirement of strengthening cooperation on maritime issues for economic and development purposes, while promptly handling complicated situations to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea. Ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea is the common interest and responsibility of all countries in and outside the region. Therefore, we welcome and look forward to the active participation and constructive contributions of countries to achieve this goal,” said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that Vietnam always advocates doing its utmost with other countries to turn the East Sea into an area of ​​peace, stability and cooperation for development; resolving all disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), not using or threatening to use force, exercising self-restraint, and not doing anything to complicate and further escalate the situation.

“In that spirit, we support the acceleration of measures to build trust, reduce tensions and prevent conflicts. In particular, we urge our countries to sincerely and willingly commit to not pursuing or taking any militarization actions in the East Sea. We urge all parties to seriously, fully and effectively implement the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and soon adopt the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (DOC),” Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized.

According to Chinhphu.vn