(VOVworld) – ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meetings and meetings between ASEAN and its partners concluded in Myanmar on Tuesday.

Delegates discussed preparations and the agenda for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings in early August. The 27^th ASEAN-US Dialogue the same day reviewed ASEAN-US relations and cooperation and discussed regional issues of mutual concern and preparations for the 2^nd ASEAN-US Summit by the end of the year. Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh hailed achievements of the ASEAN-US partnership and US support for ASEAN’s efforts to form a community, increase connectivity, and expand its role in the region. Vinh said that China’s illegal deployment of oilrig Haiyang 981 and escort ships in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and its attacks on Vietnamese vessels violate international law. He said Vietnam demands that China withdraw its rig and escort ships from Vietnamese waters, adding that Vietnam will resolutely defend its maritime sovereignty and will persist in dialogue and peaceful measures in accordance with international law.