(VOVworld) – Senior ASEAN Officials gathered in Manila on Wednesday and Thursday to discuss preparations for the 30th ASEAN Summit. The delegates including Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung finalized programs, agenda, and documents for the Summit, slated for April 26-29.

The 2017 ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting in Manila, Philippines. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

They also discussed global issues, progress in building the ASEAN community and progress in completing a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The ASEAN officials agreed on fast-tracking the COC consultation with China to conclude the COC framework before mid-2017, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ASEAN’s unity and central role in this matter.

They agreed on the need to act upon the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and foster trust-building and anti-dispute measures.

The senior officials, together with senior economic officials, discussed ways to reduce development gaps, strengthen connectivity, and improve coordination between the community’s pillars.