Vietnam reiterates independent foreign policy

Vietnam has been consistent with its policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification, and multilateralism in foreign relations, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has said.

Chinh reiterated the country’s policy when he met with ambassadors attending the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) held on Oct 27.

Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member of the international community, Chinh said at the meeting.

Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening relations with other countries to jointly contribute to peace and stability towards multilateral cooperation and green and inclusive development.

He said in the tough times, it’s important to promote unity among countries, therefore, the role of the ambassadors is crucial for Vietnam’s national strategic goals, including becoming upper-middle-income countries by 2030 and high-income economies by 2045.

Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (6th left), Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (5th left), Ambassadors and attaches of countries in the East Asia Summit on Oct 27. Photo: Baoquocte

East Asia Summit

On the same day, PM Chinh attended the 16th EAS, which marked the attendance of ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and leaders of ASEAN and eight partners namely Australia, China, Japan, India, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, the US.

General Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organization (WTO) were invited to deliver speeches at the event held via videoconference.

Addressing the summit, Chinh said EAS needs to uphold transparent behaviors and straightforward dialogues to increase responsibility-sharing for peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

He suggested further cooperation for better healthcare capacity, wider access to Covid-19 vaccines and drugs as well as measures to facilitate businesses expansion, foster equal, inclusive and sustainable recovery in conjunction with digital transformation, circular and inclusive economy.

Chinh called for a rules-based approach in solving international issues, including securing peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea (called East Sea by Vietnam). Related parties need to exercise restraint to avoid escalating tensions while effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and speeding up the negotiations of the Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law and UNCLOS 1982 that regulates all ocean activities.

Joint commitments

On this occasion, the participating countries of the East Asia Summit released Leaders’ statements on sustainable recovery, economic growth through tourism recovery, and mental health cooperation.

Given the importance of a sustainable recovery, the countries stated that the journey is comprehensive, inclusive, and resilient, through a unified response from EAS participating countries to address the continued spread of Covid-19.

For that reason, they decided to combat the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic through open, inclusive, non-discriminatory, and transparent efforts; upholding multilateralism; and enhancing international and multi-stakeholder cooperation.

The countries continue exchanging views on strategies, economic models, and frameworks relating to sustainable growth, including bio, circular and green economies, and natural capital accounting systems.

They will enhance the connectivity of affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy infrastructure and increase cooperation on innovative and emerging low emissions, clean, effective, and renewable energy technologies, to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 Affordable and Clean Energy consistent with the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement.

In joint efforts, partnering counties will support ASEAN’s effort to implement the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan, which aims to advance the resilience and sustainability of ASEAN.

To promote the common drive, EAS participating countries are encouraged to mobilize the public and private sectors, international organizations, and other stakeholders to support smart cities development towards accelerating equitable, inclusive, and sustainable growth through initiatives such as the ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN).

Accordingly, the countries promote cooperation to strengthen the sustainability and capacity of the private sector, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), small scale and artisanal fishers, smallholder farmers, and others affected by Covid-19, in pursuing a recovery that leaves no one behind.

They also further promote youth participation in climate action and leadership of activities and projects both at national and grassroots levels, taking into account the positive role that youth can play in national efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

In recognizing severe damage caused by Covid-1 to the global tourism sector, the countries emphasize that a global and regional response based on international cooperation, multilateralism, and solidarity is required to mitigate the adverse impact.

Therefore, they decided to discuss the current situation in the region related to tourism, especially on the measures taken by countries to accelerate recovery and the steps taken to reopen tourism destinations while adhering to health protocols and safety measures.

The East Asia Summit (EAS) is the Indo-Pacific’s premier forum for strategic dialogue. It is the only leader-led forum at which all key partners meet to discuss political, security, and economic challenges facing the Indo-Pacific, and has an important role to play in advancing closer regional cooperation.

EAS initially has 16 countries in the East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Oceanian regions. Membership expanded to 18 countries including Russia and the US at the 6th EAS in 2011.