Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh stressed the point during ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat in held Bagan, Myanmar on Friday.
Deputy PM, FM Minh went on to say that on such basis, ASEAN member states should push connectivity process in couple with building peace, stability, cooperation and multi-layered ASEAN-led connectivity in East Asia.
The bloc also needs to consolidate its values and norms and multiply them so that they become the common values and norms of East Asia, beef up measures to build a strong ASEAN Community for the benefits of the whole region as well as for each member State, and make greater efforts to shape a common voice on major issues of regional and international concern.
Deputy PM, FM Minh emphasized the common responsibility to protect peace, stability, security, maritime safety and freedom in the East Sea; strictly observe international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.
In the face of continued complicated developments on the East Sea, Deputy PM Minh called for greater efforts to launch negotiations for early conclusion of a Code of Conduct.
* On the occasion, Deputy PM, FM Minh also congratulated Myanmar on assuming the ASEAN Chair and expressed Viet Nam’s strong support for Myanmar to successfully complete the task.
