(VOVworld) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said ASEAN must uphold its leading role and voice on issues related to regional peace, security and development, as well as within an evolving regional architecture.
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| Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung speaks at the 23rd ASEAN summit (Source: VOV) |
Speaking at the ongoing ASEAN summit in Brunei capital, Bandar Seri Begawan on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said ASEAN must continue its determination to successfully develop the ASEAN Community by 2015, work out the ASEAN Vision beyond 2015 to consolidate a politically cohesive organization, being proactive in making contributions to regional peace, and stability, as well as responding effectively to emerging challenges. The Prime Minister also spoke highly of the role and contribution of Brunei as ASEAN president in 2013.
Regarding regional issues, Prime Minister Dung welcomed the result of the first official consultation between ASEAN and China on the Code of Conduct (COC) for the parties in the East Sea. He asked ASEAN and China to double their efforts to maintain this positive momentum and push for substantive negotiations to quickly agree a COC to better secure peace, maritime security, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea. At the same time, both sides should consider and put in place a number of proposed initiatives such as on search and rescue, the establishment of hot lines, humanitarian assistance to people and vessels in distress at sea, as well as other confidence building activities. Mr. Dung welcomed the coordinating efforts of Thailand in dialogue relations between ASEAN and China.
At the summit, the Vietnamese Prime Minister and other ASEAN leaders approved the Vision Statement Towards an ASEAN Community beyond 2015. He suggested tasking the Coordinating Committee to work with ASEAN Ministers to establish the major norms and principles of the Vision to be submitted to next year’s summit. The 23rd ASEAN summit also endorsed a number of significant statements, including those to boost cooperation on social welfare, youth enterprises, natural disaster prevention and dealing with non-infectious diseases.