A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador to Malaysia Pham Cao Phong attended the second ASEAN-EU high-level dialogue on maritime security cooperation, which took place in Kuala Lumpur on May 4th-6th.

Themed “Developing Inter-Agency and Regional Cooperation”, the dialogue attracted over 100 scholars, diplomats, experts and officials from ASEAN and EU member states.

At the dialogue. Photo: Vietnam+

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Maritime Institute of Malaysia Ahmad Ramli Nor said the event aims to intensify inter-agency cooperation in fighting piracy and armed robbery at sea, monitoring and dealing with threats including trans-national organized crimes, ensuring seaport security and securing the EU’s support in improving ASEAN capacity in the regard.

He also underscored the need to raise mutual understanding and trust between the ASEAN and the EU as well as increase bilateral efforts to address cross-border security threats in the region.

Participants discussed sharing information and technological advances used for maritime security and developing regional cooperative mechanisms and international legal frameworks to ensure safe passage for seaports and containers.

Several attendees offered ideas to settle territorial disputes in the East Sea.

The Vietnamese delegation also delivered speeches about maritime and seaport security as well as the East Sea issue that were well received, Ambassador Phong told Vietnam News Agency.

The first dialogue of this kind was held in Jakarta, Indonesia in November 2013.

Source: VNA