Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh

He noted that ASEAN needs to improve rapid and effective response to emerging challenges, ensure the serious and full implementation of cooperation commitments, especially in economy and step up innovation-based and people-oriented development, as well as enhance the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms in ASEAN as well as with partners.  Minh stressed that ASEAN should promote its self-resilient and innovative capacity in implementing relations with partners, thus maintaining its solidarity, unity and central role.

The Deputy PM affirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and peacefully settling disputes in respect for international law.