(VOVworld) - Meetings between ASEAN+1 Foreign Ministers and the FMs of 10 ASEAN partners took place in Phnom Penh yesterday. Vietnamese FM Pham Binh Minh attended all meetings and co-chaired the ASEAN-China meeting. Minh asked ASEAN members and partners to implement signed agreements promptly and boost cooperation in economics, trade, human resource development, IT, science and technology, emergency response, and non-traditional security. Minh called on ASEAN’s partners to continue support for building an ASEAN Community linking the region, narrowing the development gap, developing the sub-Mekong region, and backing ASEAN in regional forums.
At the ASEAN – China meeting, Minh said Vietnam will continue to contribute to the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity.
Regarding issues in the East Sea, Minh underscored the need to respect the sovereignty and jurisdictions of coastal countries whose exclusive economic zones and continental shelf areas are defined under the UN 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea, and resolve disputes via peaceful measures without resorting to military force as called for by the Convention and the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
At the ASEAN – EU meeting, Minh officially handed over the role of coordinator until 2015.
Minh also held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of China, Canada, Pakistan, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Minh and his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi agreed to maintain the exchanges of high-ranking visits, and to promote friendship, and cooperation in all fields. The two agreed to settle all maritime through peaceful and friendly negotiations with mutual respect for legitimate interests.
Talking with Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird, Minh said that there is a lot of potential for the 2 countries to expand cooperation in trade and investment. He called for the two sides to strengthen their ties to commemorate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
Hina Rabbani Khar reiterated Pakistan’s wish to increase high-level visits between the two nations. Hina said in the future, the two should sign a bilateral Free Trade Agreement and enhance cooperation in agriculture, garments and textiles, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals.