Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has concluded a trip to Thailand to attend the 35th ASEAN Summit and related meetings. Other attending countries showed special concern about peace and stability in the East Sea and supported Vietnam’s stance in the East Sea issue.

Leaders pose for a photo at the 14th East Asia Summit on November 4
(Photo: VNA)  

They expressed high hopes for Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 and Non-Permanent Membership on the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

From November 2 to November 4, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended all ASEAN meetings and held bilateral meetings with the UN Security Council, Prime Ministers of Thailand, India, Laos, Cambodia, China, and New Zealand, the UK Prince, and the IMF Director General. The leaders expressed their support for Vietnam’s stance on ensuring a peaceful, stable East Sea based on international law.

Support for Vietnam on the East Sea issue

US National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said they oppose actions that prevent legal economic activities at sea and disrespect countries’ sovereignty and sovereign rights and international law in the East Sea and support efforts to finalize an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung said “During the past several years, the world has paid much attention to the East Sea issue. But at this summit, many world leaders have expressed greater concern about the issue. One of the main reasons behind their concern is recent illegal activities in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and grave violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty".

The Prime Minister reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance at various conferences. Vietnam is determined to protect its national sovereignty on the basis of international law and ensure freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea. Vietnam’s stance is strongly supported by other countries.”

At the ASEAN-China and ASEAN-East Asia and other related meetings, leaders spent much time discussing the East Sea issue.

They called for practicing restraint, not complicating the situation, and respecting international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They also stressed the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and finalizing the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

Vietnam wants to strengthen ASEAN connectivity

At the 35th ASEAN Summit, Vietnam took over the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2020 from Thailand. At the handover ceremony, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc highlighted the importance of strengthening connectivity between ASEAN countries.

The Prime Minister said ASEAN’s solidarity will help maintain shared strategic and economic interests and spread awareness and identity among the peoples in ASEAN.

Vietnam will focus on increasing ASEAN’s sustainability by enhancing solidarity and consensus and deepening ASEAN’s values and identity “A cohesive and developed community needs to be more proactive in dealing with external factors and ASEAN can be responsive only if its cohesiveness is strengthened. Vietnam hopes to receive support from other ASEAN  member states and partners to realize the theme of ASEAN Year 2020.”

During his trip to Thailand for the 35th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc consistently affirmed Vietnam’s sovereignty and its determination to safeguard its sovereignty in the East Sea based on international law.

He said Vietnam will work closely with other countries to continue ASEAN’s achievements, reinforce solidarity, and strengthen its connectivity and inclusive, sustainable economy.