(Photo: VNA)

The forums drew representatives from ASEAN member countries and partners, as well as prestigious experts and scholars in the region and the world.
Addressing the AMF and EAMD, Vu Ho, Director of the ASEAN Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam highly valued the role of the forums in promoting sea cooperation inside the ASEAN and between the association and partners. He underlined the significance of maintaining the central role of the ASEAN in the region as well as in sea cooperation, and called on partners to continue supporting the ASEAN in a transparent and trustful spirit and enhance cooperation with the grouping through ASEAN-led mechanisms.
The Vietnamese representative stressed the urgent need of maintaining and protecting the sea environment, suggesting that it should be considered a regular topic of sea-related discussions in the region in the time to come.
Amid the complicated developments in the East Sea, Vietnam reiterated its principled stance and highlighted the benefit and responsibility of countries in making the East Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and stability.