Jakarta (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of ForeignAffairs Bui Thanh Son on July 13 attended meetings between foreign ministers ofASEAN member states and their partners - New Zealand, India, Russia, Australiaand China - within the framework of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting(AMM-56) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Participating ministers welcomed theimplementation progress of action plans, and appreciated cooperation results inall fields which have contributed to inclusive recovery and sustainabledevelopment.

The partners affirmed that they attach greatimportance to relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN), respect and support the bloc’s central role, assist it in building theASEAN Community, and jointly promote dialogue, cooperation and response tocommon challenges, thus contributing more effectively to peace, security,stability, and sustainable development.

At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with New Zealand, ministers welcomed the conclusion of negotiations to upgrade theASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to deepen economic and tradecooperation. ASEAN appreciated New Zealand's support in efforts to respond toclimate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and improve thecapacity of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance. The conference adopted the ASEAN - New Zealand Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEANOutlook for the Indo-Pacific.

At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with India,the two sides approved the Appendix to the Action Plan to implement theComprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was established at the end of 2022.They emphasised the priority to be given to enhance cooperation in maritimeaffairs, connectivity, digital economy, cyber security, health, theenvironment, and transnational crime prevention. ASEAN suggested India continueto pay attention to narrowing the development gap, and sub-regional developmentcooperation.

The ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Russia unanimously adopted a Joint Statement commemorating the fifth anniversary ofthe ASEAN - Russia Strategic Partnership, committing to promote and deepenpractical cooperation, especially in the fields that Russia has strengths andASEAN has needs. Participating countries welcomed the progress of bilateralcooperation, especially in coordination to respond to non-traditional securitychallenges, and proposed implementing initiatives within the framework of the"Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation" in 2022.

Meanwhile, at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Australia, ministers appreciated the positive progress in implementing the ComprehensiveStrategic Partnership, especially the Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative with afunding of 204 million AUD (138.9 million USD). ASEAN appreciated Australia'scommitments to promote two-way trade and investment, and looked forward toAustralia's continued expansion of market access and business connectivity. Thetwo sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation towards sustainabledevelopment, supported the ASEAN-Australia High-Level Dialogue on ClimateChange and Energy Transition jointly chaired by Laos, Australia and Vietnam bythe end of this year in Vietnam.

At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with China,countries welcomed progress in negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN - China FreeTrade Agreement, which reflects their commitments to building an inclusive,comprehensive, modern and rules-based economic environment. Delegates expressedtheir satisfaction with the progress in negotiations on the Code of Conduct inthe East Sea (COC). The two sides agreed to take 2024 as the year for ASEAN -China people-to-people exchanges to promote friendship, understanding andcultural connectivity between the people of the countries.

Speaking at the conferences, Vietnamese Minister ofForeign Affairs Bui Thanh Son appreciated the extensive progress in cooperationbetween ASEAN and its partners, suggesting the partners support the bloc'scentral role, maintain assistance for the ASEAN Community building, and jointlycontribute to peace, security and development in the region. He proposed orientationsto enhance cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, especially in theimplementation of free trade agreements, investment, tourism, human resourcesdevelopment, infrastructure connectivity, and sub-regional cooperation, as wellas expanding cooperation priorities in climate change response, energysecurity, food security and green growth.

Discussing the international and regionalsituation at the events, ASEAN countries and partners emphasised the importanceof maintaining and ensuring peace, security and stability in the region, andcreating favourable conditions for inclusive growth and sustainable developmentefforts.

The Vietnamese minister proposed the partnerssupport ASEAN's common stance and efforts on the East Sea and otherinternational and regional issues; and called on them to join hands with theassociation to increase dialogue, build trust, and solve disputes by peacefulmeans in accordance with international law.

He stressed the importance of the Declaration onthe Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and working towards building apractical and effective COC in accordance with international law, including the1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for the sake of peace andcooperation in the East Sea./.