(VOVworld) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung co-chaired an unofficial ASEAN-EU Summit with President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso in Milan, Italy, on Thursday. This was the first summit co-chaired by Vietnam as a coordinator of ASEAN-EU relations.

ASEM  10 takes place in Milan, Italy. Photo: Reuters

The two sides reviewed their past cooperation and presented a vision for future ASEAN-EU dialogues. They also discussed regional and global issues, including the East Sea, the Middle East, North Africa; and the fight against terrorism.

They stressed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, and maritime safety, security and freedom; abiding by international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), settling disputes without the use of force or the threat of force; fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and working towards the completion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

They also agreed to resume negotiations for a post-2015 free trade agreement, and increase their transport links via land, air and sea.