Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea (RoK) to enhance economic, trade and investment links via utilising opportunities offered by the ASEAN – RoK free trade agreement.

He made the suggestion at the 16th ASEAN – RoK Summit in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on October 9, adding that the two sides should work with other partners to step up negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Both sides should continue to implement the 2011-2015 Action Plan on the ASEAN – RoK Strategic Partnership, giving priority to bridging the development gap, human resources training and people-to-people exchange, the PM said.

At the same time, he suggested the two sides work together to enhance capacity to cope with climate change and promote green growth.

PM Dung also laid emphasis on political-security cooperation including maritime security, non-traditional security and energy and food security.

ASEAN leaders and RoK President Park Geun-hye expressed satisfaction at the development of their strategic partnership and their common aspiration for peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

They underscored the peaceful settlement of disputes, the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and improvement of inter-Korea relations.

At the same time, the leaders also stressed the importance of ensuring peace, maritime security and safety in the East Sea on the basis of respect for international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They agreed to hold a Special Summit in December 2014 in the RoK to mark the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN – RoK dialogue relations, during which major orientations will be rolled out for their ties in the time ahead.

Source: VNA