Manila (VNA) – ASEAN member states need to uphold their responsibility and thecommunity’s spirit, especially a common stance, on international and regionalissues, towards increasing the bloc’s position in the international arena, saidPrime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the retreat meeting in the framework of the 30th ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines.

He urged ASEAN to lead the way in abiding by international law and basic principlesof international relations, in line with its goal to build a rule-based community.

The Vietnamese Government leader also called for more efforts from the group toimprove the effectiveness of cooperation with its partners and intra-bloc dialoguemechanisms, with a focus on result-oriented activities.

In his speech, PM Phuc shared the common concern about recent developments inthe international and regional situation, which left multi-dimensional impactson ASEAN and each member nations.  

He stressed that the challenges are also an opportunity for ASEAN to prove itscapacity and  central role in addressingregional issues.

The PM also expressed concern about the escalationof tension in the Korean Peninsula, the EastSea, the East China Sea, and recent terrorist attacks in European countries,while applauding joint efforts of ASEAN in tackling both traditional andnon-conventional security challenges.

ASEAN should promote the basic principles and common stance on solving disputesby peaceful measures in line with international law, especially the UN Conventionon the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).

He call on parties to exercise restraint, not to use orthreat to use force, and respect legal and diplomatic processes, while fullyand strictly implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Partiesin the East Sea (DOC) and working towards an early formulation of an effectiveand feasible Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), contributing tomaintaining peace, stability, security, aviation and navigation safety in the waters.

ASEANleaders welcomed the progresses in the relations between ASEAN and its outsidepartners, reflected in the outcomes of the implementation of Action Plansbetween ASEAN and its Dialogue partners.

They notedthat more regional nations and organisations wish to strengthen cooperationwith ASEAN, and the bloc’s role in ASEAN-established mechanisms is valued andrespected.

Theleaders gave instructions on the organisation of activities celebratingimportant anniversaries with the bloc’s key partners, such as the 40th anniversary of cooperative relations with the US, Canada, EU, and the 25th anniversary of ASEAN – India relations. They said the celebrations areopportunities to create new impetuses for the relations between ASEAN and itspartners.

Themeeting underlined the importance of maintaining the central role of ASEAN inthe forming regional structure, improving the efficiency of ASEAN-led regionalcooperation mechanisms and forums, and enhancing the bloc’s capability inaddressing global and regional issues.

Regardingregional and international situation, the ASEAN leaders expressed theirconcerns over the complicated developments, such as the tension related to theKorean Peninsula, militarisation activities in the East Sea, and spreadingterrorism threats.

Theyagreed that ASEAN needs to develop a strong common voice and bring into playits role, thus contributing to the joint efforts to maintain peace, securityand stability in the region and the world.

TheASEAN nations’ leaders welcomed the timely issue of the ASEAN ForeignMinisters’ Joint Statement on the bloc’s stance on the tension in the KoreanPeninsula, calling on all parties concerned to exercise self-restraint in orderto de-escalate the situation and resume negotiations.

Theyalso reiterated the need to push for the completion of a framework for a Codeof Conduct (COC) in the East Sea by mid-year, creating the conditions for theearly formulation of an effective COC.

After the meeting, ASEAN leaders met with representatives from the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), andyoung representatives from ASEAN member countries.

They encouraged the involvement of all walks of life to promote cooperation,sustainable growth within the bloc and to improve competitiveness for thebloc’s member states.

They emphasized the commitment that ASEAN will make more endeavour to createconnection among people and Governments, thus reaching consensus and supportfor the intra-bloc cooperation, and promote mutual understanding among membernation’s people, towards a law-governed, people-oriented and people-centred ASEANCommunity.

ASEAN leaders then signed the ASEANDeclaration on the role of the civil service as the catalyst to achieve theASEAN Community Vision 2025.

The 30th ASEAN Summit closed with a ceremony at16:40 pm (local time).-VNA