Apart from Vietnam, the meeting also saw the presence of foreign affairs officials from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and China.
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FM Bui Thanh Son attends 7th Mekong - Lancang Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. (Photo: baoquocte.vn) |
Participants emphasized the principles of consensus, equality, mutual consultation, shared benefits, respect for the U.N. Charter and international laws and in line with each country’s regulations and laws.
They also agreed to strengthen MLC cooperation by consolidating the friendly neighborliness, making positive contribution to socio-economic development of member countries, building the ASEAN Community, and realizing the sustainable development goals 2030.
They adopted a Joint Press Communique and four joint statements on strengthening agricultural cooperation, natural disaster prevention and control, customs and trade facilitation, and exchanges among MLC civilizations.
In his speech, Vietnamese FM underlined that in the post-COVID period, member countries need to ensure that MLC develops in a practical manner with priority given to economic growth and sustainable development, bringing real benefits to people.
FM Son also suggested four major measures to promote the MLC cooperation in the time to come.
The same day, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
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FM Bui Thanh Son and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi (Photo: laodong.vn) |
At the meeting, the two sides highly appreciated the progress of the two countries’ relationship over the past time, especially the maintenance of regular high-level exchanges and contacts in a flexible manner, stable growth of economic - trade, investment cooperation, improvement in goods circulation.
Regarding the East Sea (internationally South China Sea) issue, the Vietnamese diplomat suggested the two sides continue to effectively implement their high-level agreements and common perspectives, respect each other's legitimate interests in line with international laws, including the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, and fully and effectively carry out the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards a practical and effective Code of Conduct (COC) with conformity to international laws, thus maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea.
Chinese FM Wang Yi affirmed that China wishes to settle disagreements through dialogue and consultation. China is also willing to work with ASEAN to effectively implement the DOC, soon achieve a COC, and maintain peace, stability and freedom of navigation.
Translated by Mai Huong