He made the call while addressing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (AMMR), which was held both in person and virtually in Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia - Chair of the grouping in 2022, on February 16 and 17.
Speaking at the event, Minister Son asked ASEAN to press on with implementing COVID-19 response initiatives such as the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework and the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework. He also proposed mutual recognition of “vaccine passports” in the region so as to resume travel soon and facilitate comprehensive recovery, adding that attention should be paid to capacity building and technology transfer in order to stay ready to cope with new emergencies similar to the pandemic.
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An overview of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (AMMR) in Phnom Penh on February 17 |
With regard to the building of the Post-2025 ASEAN Community Vision, he urged that the grouping early consolidate the high-level task force and make thorough preparations so that the ASEAN Community can adapt to and effectively respond to emerging complex challenges amid the fast-changing geo-political situation in the region and the world.
He recommended reinforcing solidarity, unity, dialogue, and cooperation to serve as the basis for a strong and resilient Community; upholding the grouping’s centrality; improving the effectiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms; and keeping balance in its relations with partners, thereby contributing to regional and global peace, cooperation, and development.
Son also called for continued cooperation to narrow the development gap in the region and boost sustainable development and inclusive growth in sub-regions of ASEAN.
Sharing other countries’ concern about the complicated developments and unexpected incidents in the East Sea, the Vietnamese official stressed the importance of ensuring peace, security, and safety of navigation and overflight in the waters; complying with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, so as to maintain the East Sea (South China Sea) as a sea of peace, stability, and cooperation; continuing to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC); and soon achieving a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) that matches international law, including the UNCLOS 1982.
He also welcomed the proposal to celebrate the DOC’s 20th anniversary and the UNCLOS’s 40th anniversary in 2022.
Regarding the Myanmar issue, Minister Son affirmed Vietnam's readiness to join hands with other countries to assist Myanmar to overcome these trying times, voicing support for the continued effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
He also proposed stronger cooperation within ASEAN and between the grouping and partners to deal with emerging non-traditional security challenges, including those related to cyber security, maritime security, water resource security, climate change, and environmental pollution, as well as new challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the AMMR, participants highly valued the ASEAN theme for 2022, “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together,” expressing their support for the priorities and initiatives suggested by Cambodia. They pledged close cooperation with the Chair of the grouping to carry out the initiatives.
They agreed on the need to sustain solidarity and unity in ASEAN; expand and intensify the grouping’s external relations; strengthen its centrality in an open, transparent, inclusive, and rules-based regional architecture; promote multilateralism; improve ASEAN-chaired and -led mechanisms; and effectively help promote peace, stability, sustainable development, and prosperity in the region.
The ministers also discussed some international and regional issues of common concern, including the East Sea and Myanmar issues.
Source: VNA