AMM 59: FM Le Hoai Trung attends 16th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, urging practical cooperation
WVR - On July 23, in Manila (Philippines), as part of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings, Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung attended the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
Latest
 |
| Politburo Member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung attends the 16th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
At the meeting, the Ministers affirmed the role of the EAS as a forum for leaders to discuss strategic issues and promote cooperation in political, security, and economic areas of mutual interest.
The Ministers acknowledged the positive outcomes in implementing the EAS Action Plan for 2024-2028, especially in priority areas such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, energy, digital transformation, digital economy, connectivity, education, healthcare, disaster management, food security, maritime cooperation, and tourism.
Amidst complex and unpredictable regional and global developments, the Ministers agreed to strengthen the EAS as an open, transparent, and inclusive forum; contributing to promoting multilateralism, respecting international law, and maintaining a peaceful, stable, and predictable environment, while enhancing substantive cooperation based on the goals and principles of the EAS and ASEAN priorities.
The countries also agreed to continue measures to improve and enhance the effectiveness of the EAS to maintain its relevance, resilience, and adaptability.
Particularly, the Ministers emphasized the importance of enhancing dialogue, building trust, and narrowing differences, while strengthening substantive cooperation to address emerging challenges, including maritime security, cybersecurity, combating transnational crime, especially cybercrime and online fraud...
The countries continued to emphasize the strengthening of an open, rules-based multilateral trading system; proposing enhanced cooperation to improve regional resilience through collaboration in digital transformation, circular economy, green growth, connectivity, sustainable supply chain development, ensuring energy security, and food security...
Additionally, the countries highlighted the continued strengthening of substantive cooperation in areas such as education, healthcare, mental health, disaster management, human resource development, promoting the roles of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
The Ministers devoted significant time to discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, and the Middle East.
Sharing the strategic importance of the East Sea, where many vital shipping routes pass through, the Ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); calling for restraint, avoiding actions that complicate the situation, potentially causing misunderstandings or miscalculations; resolving disputes peacefully, based on international law, including UNCLOS 1982.
The ministers noted the progress in negotiations for the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China, expressing the desire for a substantive, effective COC in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS 1982.
 |
| Delegates take a commemorative photo. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Speaking at the meeting, Politburo Member and Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized that ASEAN's central role has provided a foundation for bringing together EAS leaders to engage in frank dialogue on important strategic issues, managing differences, building trust, and seeking common benefits.
To continue enhancing the effectiveness and value of the EAS in the future, Minister Le Hoai Trung suggested that countries prioritize strengthening cooperation in areas beneficial to the people, including energy, digital transformation, cybersecurity, combating transnational crime, cybercrime, and online fraud...
On peace and security, Minister Le Hoai Trung stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability and upholding international law and commonly accepted norms of conduct across all regions, including the East Sea. He also commended the Philippines, as ASEAN Chair, for its regular consultations and close coordination with other member states in formulating timely common responses to urgent situations and crises.
Regarding the East Sea, the Vietnamese Foreign Minister reaffirmed that all parties should continue exercising restraint, remain committed to resolving disputes through peaceful means, and respect diplomatic and legal processes in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
