A series of Senior Officials’ Meetings (SOMs) of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and partners took place in Yangon, Myanmar, on June 7th and 8th in preparation for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and related meetings scheduled for early August.
The Vietnamese delegation to the meetings was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh.
The meetings focused on reviewing cooperation in the frameworks of ASEAN, ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit (EAS) and working out directions for the future, as well as discussing regional and international issues of common concern.
The East Sea issue attracted special attention at the meetings, with countries expressing deep concern over the escalating tensions in the East Sea and emphasizing on the need to abide by international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea as well as to work for a Code of Conduct (COC) on the East Sea.
Addressing the meetings, Deputy FM Vinh presented in details China’s illegal acts in the East Sea. He made clear that China’s placement of Haiyang Shiyou-981 rig together with many escort ships deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone had seriously violated international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, directly impacting peace, stability, security and navigation safety in the East Sea.
Vietnam firmly protested China’s provocative acts including ramming and firing water cannons at Vietnamese ships which had damaged many fisheries surveillance, coast guard and fishing vessels of Vietnam, he said.
The Deputy FM stressed that Vietnam demands China to immediately withdraw its rig and ships from Vietnam’s waters.
While Vietnam attaches importance to the friendship and cooperation with China, the country is resolved to protect its sacred sovereignty and seas by peaceful measures, in line with international law, he said.
Deputy FM Son called on regional countries and the international community to continue voicing their protest against China’s violations and demanding China to respect international law and the UNCLOS as well as strictly carry out the DOC and work toward a COC as soon as possible.
Regarding ASEAN cooperation, Deputy FM Vinh stressed the need to enhance unity and bring into full play the central role of the bloc in addressing issues related to peace, stability and development cooperation in the region. He spoke highly of ASEAN’s central role in promoting regional linkage and connectivity as well as in the evolving regional architecture towards the common goal of peace and prosperity in the region.
The Vietnamese representative shared the overall assessment about the outcomes of the cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, particularly in promoting regional linkage, responding to natural disaster, climate change, food and energy security and maritime security and safety.
He took the occasion to announce that Vietnam will host the ASEAN Marine Forum (AMF) and the Extended ASEAN Marine Forum (EAMF) in late August, which aim to further regional collaboration to ensure maritime security and safety as well as other sea-related fields.
Deputy FM Vinh also stressed the need to further enhancing the EAS’s role as an important part of the regional structure with ASEAN playing the central role, so that it continues to contribute to peace, stability and development in the region.
More SOM meetings are scheduled to take place in late June 8th and on June 9th./.