Efforts for sincere dialogue, trustworthy consultation, practical cooperation for peace, security and sustainable prosperous development

On the morning of July 14, continuing to attend the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son participated in the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers' Meetings. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

The participating countries of the EAS include China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Russia and the United States) and the ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The countries together reviewed, oriented cooperation, discussed the international and regional situation, and prepared for the Summit in September in Indonesia. * The EAS Foreign Ministers affirmed the special significance of the EAS, as a forum for Senior Leaders to dialogue on strategic issues, promoting cooperation for peace, security, stability and sustainable prosperity in the region. On that basis, the countries pledged to further promote the role of the EAS, taking sincere dialogue, trustworthy consultation, and practical cooperation as the main tools in the exchange. The Foreign Ministers agreed to jointly contribute to improving the adaptability of the countries, shaping an open, inclusive, transparent regional structure, upholding international law with ASEAN at the center. The conference adopted the EAS Action Plan for the 2024-2028 period, with 16 specific areas such as sustainable development, maritime cooperation, trade promotion, connectivity, education, food security, women's empowerment, etc.

Overview of the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

* With the United States , the Ministers affirmed that they will continue the developments in cooperation after the success of the Commemorative Summit in May 2022, further promoting the ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The delegates also pledged to coordinate to deepen economic, trade, investment relations, and respond to non-traditional security challenges. At the same time, ASEAN and the United States will strengthen cooperation in energy transition, science, technology and innovation, sustainable infrastructure development, environmental protection, climate change response, etc. ASEAN welcomed the proposal of the United States to participate in the cooperation to implement the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). On this occasion, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced the establishment of the ASEAN-US Center to support these efforts. Speaking at the Conferences, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed the important achievements of the EAS, worthy of the expectations for him. The Minister emphasized that through consultation, EAS has contributed to promoting the culture of dialogue and cooperation, increasing commonalities, narrowing differences, and enhancing trust among countries. The Minister highly appreciated the commitments and support of the Partners for ASEAN, and emphasized that those commitments need to be demonstrated in action, through active participation and effective contribution to ASEAN-led mechanisms. Welcoming the good results of cooperation between ASEAN and the United States, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that ASEAN will closely coordinate with the United States to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership in a practical, effective, and mutually beneficial manner, contributing to promoting dialogue, shaping and sharing standards of conduct among countries. The Minister emphasized the need to prioritize promoting economy, trade, science, technology, and innovation as key areas and driving forces for ASEAN-US cooperation. At the same time, it is necessary to strengthen coordination to ensure a sustainable future for the 1 billion people of both sides through cooperation in health, education, human resource development, green transformation, and sustainable development. The Minister suggested that both sides pay more attention and effectively support sub-regional development, contributing to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable growth in the region. * At the Conferences, the countries had in-depth discussions on international and regional issues. The Partners affirmed their support for ASEAN's efforts, balanced, objective approaches, and common stance on these issues. Sharing opinions at the Conferences, Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the Partners need to show respect and support for ASEAN's central role in practice, and work with ASEAN to promote dialogue, consultation, build trust, respond to common challenges, build an open, transparent, inclusive regional structure, and uphold international law. The Minister affirmed ASEAN's common stance on the East Sea, and requested that Partners continue to support and contribute responsibly to ASEAN-led efforts in ensuring peace, security and stability in the East Sea, building an effective and substantive COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, and striving to build the East Sea into a sea of ​​peace, cooperation and sustainable development.

* This afternoon, July 14, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son will join other countries in attending the 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Source