VN continues raising East Sea issue at ASEAN+1 ministerial meetings

ASEAN-India Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on August 1, 2019

Minh expressed concerns over the complicated developments in the East Sea, including continued militarization and unilateral activities that go against international law and the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

Such activities have also eroded trust and caused negative impacts on peace, security and stability in the region, Minh stressed.

He reiterated the principled positions of ASEAN over the issue, particularly the importance of trust building,non-militarization, self-restraint, serious compliance of  international law and the UNCLOS, serious and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and early conclusion of an effective and practical Code of Conduct in line with the international law.

Deputy PM, FM Minh affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to actively working with ASEAN countries to further expand and deepen cooperation between ASEAN and its partners in an effective and practical manner in such fields like trade, investment, connectivity, sub-regional development, human resource development, digital economy, maritime cooperation, and cybersecurity among others.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers and counterparts from the dialogue partners also shared concerns over the recent complicated developments in the East Sea.

They underlined the importance of ensuring peace, stability, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; upholding international law, including the UNCLOS 1982; settling disputes through peaceful measures; and avoiding actions that may intensify tensions or complicate the situation./.

By Ngoc Van