Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Foreign Minister (EA) Bui Thanh Son, attended the ASEAN and Australia EA Ministers Meeting held online on Wednesday August 4th.
In his speech, the Vietnamese foreign minister suggested that Australia continue to support ASEAN countries in their swift and effective response to Covid-19, while stressing that ASEAN and Australia should do efforts to maintain market openness, stabilize supply chain connectivity and make effective use of existing trade agreements in the region.
He offered Australia to work together with ASEAN to promote dialogue and build confidence, exercise restraint and respect international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Photo: VNA–
He affirmed ASEAN’s commitment to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and to continue efforts to achieve an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). substantial, in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.
Australian Minister for EA and Women, Marise Payne, announced Australia’s support to ASEAN in implementing the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, providing scholarships to 40 experts and health of ASEAN countries and the forthcoming organization of an ASEAN-Australia dialogue on youth mental health.
As the coordinating country of ASEAN – Australia relations, Malaysia praised Australia, one of ASEAN’s important economic partners, for supporting ASEAN in a timely and effective manner in the fight against Covid-19.
Australia underscored its support for ASEAN’s role in promoting dialogue and building confidence, ensuring the full and effective implementation of the DOC and establishing an effective, efficient COC, in accordance with the international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
Australia affirmed its support for ASEAN’s role and efforts to promote dialogue and reconciliation, and help Myanmar find a stable solution.
At the end of the meeting, Malaysia officially transferred to Laos the role of coordinator of ASEAN – Australia relations for the period 2021-2024. -VNA
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