Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (front row, third from left) joined other ASEAN foreign ministers in the meeting with representatives of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) in Bangkok on July 30 (Photo: VNA)

The meeting forms part of the ongoing 52nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings.

They heard reports on the AICHR’s past operations and suggested directions for its future activities, particularly the building of the AICHR’s 2020 Priority Programme and Work Plan for 2021 – 2025.  Minh then met with Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, during with both agreed to boost the Vietnam – Indonesia strategic partnership in all fields, including maritime cooperation. 
Discussing common concerns related to regional and international issues, they affirmed the importance of reinforcing solidarity in ASEAN as well as the bloc’s central role. 
The boosting of effective collaboration within ASEAN and between the bloc and its partners is also necessary, they said.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the sides stated that parties involved need to comply with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to maintain peace and stability, and reinforce mutual trust among countries.
Also on July 30, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung had a meeting with his Indian counterpart Vijay Thakur Singh to discuss measures to develop bilateral ties as well as India’s cooperation with the Mekong sub-region.