The East Sea is an important topic of discussion at the 57th AMM, countries support ASEAN's approach.

Within the framework of the 57th ASEAN Diplomatic Conference, countries discussed many important regional issues, including the East Sea.

The 25th ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Vientiane, Laos on July 27. (Photo: Bao Chi)

At the Conferences within the framework of the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 57) and related conferences (July 24-27 in Vientiane, Laos), countries spent a lot of time exchanging and sharing views and positions on international and regional issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea.

Accordingly, the countries shared concerns about the complicated developments on the ground and their impact on peace, security, stability and development, expressed support for ASEAN's balanced and objective approach, and emphasized principles such as compliance with international law, self-restraint, and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Within the framework of AMM 57, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi said: “One wrong move in the East Sea will turn a small spark into a terrifying firestorm”. Therefore, Ms. Retno emphasized that ASEAN member countries must unite and parties must peacefully resolve disputes.

This AMM 67 also promotes the completion of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. Indonesia hopes that this code can be ready for signing by 2026.

At the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS), Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar also emphasized the importance of an effective COC in accordance with international law as well as the importance of maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

According to a statement from the US State Department, attending AMM 57, Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized compliance with international law in the East Sea, where more than 3,000 billion USD in trade passes through each year.

The Secretary also emphasized the US commitment to ASEAN centrality and support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

For its part, within the framework of AMM 57, Vietnam and other countries affirmed ASEAN's principled stance on international and regional issues, emphasized the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and create a favorable environment for quality, effective, substantive COC negotiations in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982, and called on partners to support ASEAN's stance on the East Sea as well as ASEAN's efforts to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, stability, cooperation and sustainable development.

Besides, Vietnam welcomes ASEAN-led mechanisms such as ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, EAS and ARF to continue promoting their roles and strengths, achieving many important results.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/bien-dong-la-chu-de-thao-luan-quan-trong-tai-ky-amm-57-cac-nuoc-ung-ho-cach-tiep-can-cua-asean-280454.html