VN highly values US’s support for ASEAN centrality

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh addresses the ASEAN-US Ministerial Meeting on September 10, 2020. Photo: VGP

Minh made the above statement at the ASEAN-US Ministerial Meeting held in form of virtual format on September 10.

He reiterated the principled position of ASEAN, calling on parties to strengthen trust, uphold rules of law, exercise self-restraint, and take no actions that may further complicate the situation.

He also called for militarization to be avoided, for peaceful settlement of disputes, for full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and early conclusion of an effective and practical Code of Conduct in the East Sea in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, contributing to peace, security and stability in the East Sea and the region.

Minh took the occasion to applaud the US’s concrete efforts in deploying the ASEAN-US Health Futures initiative with an aim to consolidating the region’s capacity to respond to health emergencies while welcoming the US to open a regional office of the Centers for Disease Control in Ha Noi to increase its public health engagement in Southeast Asia.

He also welcomed the US’s plan to provide US$5 million to establish the YSEALI Academy at Fulbright University Viet Nam to deliver capacity-building seminars to entry- to mid-level professionals aged 25-40 from across Southeast Asia around the themes of technology and innovation, public policy, and entrepreneurship.

The ASEAN-US Ministerial Meeting draws the participation of Foreign Ministers from 10 ASEAN member countries, ASSEAN Secretary General and US Secretary of State. Photo: VGP

Speaking at the virtual meeting, US Secretary of State Micheal Pompeo affirmed that it is the interest of the US as ASEAN could successfully build the ASEAN Community and play a central role in the region.

Pompeo spoke highly of Viet Nam’s active role in its capacity as the current ASSEAN Chair, especially in rallying regional and global efforts to fruitfully respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also highly valued the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), reaffirming the US’s commitment to advancing the strategic partnership with ASEAN for peace and prosperity in the region on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty and cooperation for mutual benefits.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Pompeo reiterated the US’s position and voiced support for a united ASEAN that could consistently pursue the common positions of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea, settling disputes on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and other values enshrined in the AOIP.

At the meeting, the foreign ministers approved an Action Plan to implement the ASEAN-US Strategic Partnership for 2021-2025, which envisage specific actions to further deepen the ties./.

By Kim Anh