In his address, Deputy Minister Vu hailed the positive development of the forum over the past two decades in the areas of politics-society, economics-trade,cultural and people-to-people exchange.

He suggested that the forum, in the time to come, should further fully tap the advantage of the two regions on development potential, cultural diversity and people’s dynamism in a bid to spur the sustainable, inclusive and creative growth of East Asia and Latin America as well as friendship among people of the two sides.

The Vietnamese official extended thanks to FEALAC member countries for supporting the project initiated by Vietnam in strengthening East Asia-Latin America cultural exchange through the Hue Festival. He invited representatives of the countries to join the Hue Festival 2020, slated for April 1-6.

Vu voiced his hope that the member countries will go ahead with their continued support for Vietnam’s initiative on FEALAC cultural city network.

Participants reviewed the forum’s development over the past 20 years and outlined orientations for future cooperation.

They adopted the Santo Domingo Statement in which they affirmed their commitments to cooperation in politics, society, culture, tourism, science-technology and trade, and raising public awareness of the forum.

They also pledged to comply with the UN Charter as well as regulations recognized widely by international law, thus maintaining peace, stability and maritime and aviation security and safety.

Earlier, FEALAC senior officials also convened their meeting, along with the third meeting of the FEALAC Trust Fund’s Coordinating Committee, and a number of other meetings.

During his stay, Deputy Minister Vu met with Dominican Minister of Regional Integration Miguel Mejia and Deputy Foreign Minister Jose Blanco, and laid wreaths at the Ho Chi Minh Square in Santo Domingo. He also had bilateral meetings with heads of the delegations from Cuba, Ecuador and Peru.

During the meetings, the two sides discussed measures to boost ties between Vietnam and the countries and agreed to further their closer coordination at international organizations and multilateral forums and offer mutual support in settling sovereignty disputes through peaceful measures in conformity with international law, especially the 1982 UN Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).