According to Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh, ASEAN countries agree on the need to build trust , exercise self-restraint, resolve disputes peacefully without the threat or use of force, respect international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and avoid and manage marine incidents.

The forums eye stronger ASEAN maritime cooperation. (Photo: VOV)

Vinh said: “Participants underlined the necessity to conform to international law and UNCLOS to guarantee regional peace and security. They backed ASEAN’s decision to fully implement Article 5 of the Declaration of Conduct of parties in the East Sea (DOC) relating to self-restraint and not taking actions that might complicate the situation. They asked ASEAN and China to step up consultations to soon adopt the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC). Participants discussed various aspects of cooperation, calling trust-building the key to closer cooperation.”    

The ASEAN Maritime Forum has, since its inception, been consolidating its role as an important forum for dialogues and confidence building on maritime co-operation and security. At the forum, ASEAN members reviewed the implementation of UNCLOS and discussed lessons and cooperation to comprehensively enforce the document amidst tensions in regional waters.