The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gained manysignificant achievements in 2013, including the strengthening ofsolidarity and its central role in regional security and developmentissues, as well as the enhancement of coordination at internationalforums, especially in the United Nations (UN) framework.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the statement at an InformalASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM) on September 27 on the sidelines of the68th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The meeting was in preparation for the 23rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings scheduled for October 8-10 in Brunei.

The same day, FM Minh attended a meeting between ASEAN ministers, theUN General Secretary and the President of UN General Assembly to discussthe lifting of ASEAN-UN cooperation, including the implementation ofthe two sides’ comprehensive partnership, which was established in 2011.

The FM praised ASEAN-UN cooperation over the pasttime, particularly the UN’s contribution to the building of the ASEANCommunity scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015.

ASEAN and the UN can boost cooperation in numerous areas such ascompleting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and settling globalissues, he added.

Regarding regional issues, thediplomat said relevant sides should work to strengthen peace, security,stability and maritime security according to international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,strictly implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in theEast Sea (DOC), and advancing to an early formation of the Code ofConduct in the East Sea (COC).

FM Minh also met withForeign Ministers of China, Andorra, Bulgaria and Madagascar to fosterbilateral ties between Vietnam and these countries.-VNA