At the meeting, delegates reviewed the ARF’s implementation of cooperation activities within Hanoi Action Plan II for the ARF (2020-2025) and rolled out cooperation contents for the 2021-2022 period. They also discussed and agreed to submit documents to the 28th ARF Ministerial Meeting, which is scheduled to take place in August.

leftcenterrightdel
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Participants also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern.

Regarding the East Sea issues, participants reaffirmed the importance of peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea. They emphasized the principles of restraint, peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

The attendees also welcomed the efforts of ASEAN and China in resuming negotiations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea after being interrupted by the complicated development of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participating senior officers stressed that the COC should be built in a substantive and efficient manner and in accordance with international law and UNCLOS 1982.

At the event, delegates were also briefed on various unilateral actions that negatively affected the efforts of those involved and emphasized the need for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

They also welcomed the efforts of ASEAN in supporting Myanmar to end violence and accelerate negotiations among relevant parties to bring peace and stability to the country.

Translated by Tran Hoai