PM Phuc highlights maritime security at ASEAN-Australia Special Summit

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has underscored the need to respect international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in order to build trust and ensure regional stability.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit

At a retreat between leaders of ASEAN and Australia within the framework of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney on March 18,the Vietnamese government leader pointed out that the security situation in regional waters still run potential risks of instability.

The protection of regional security and environment, as well as marine scientific research should be taken into account in maritime partnerships, he said and praised efforts made by Vietnam and Australia, along with the EU in co-chairing the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Support Group on maritime security for 2018-2020, considering this a positive contribution to peace, cooperation and trust building in the region. 

Vietnam applauds initiatives for peace and connectivity between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific in line with international law, he noted.

At the meeting, PM delivered a key note speech on orientations for the partnership and economic cooperation between ASEAN and Australia in the new period, emphasizing that ASEAN-Australia relations are in the best development period after 44 years of consolidation and growth.

pm phuc highlights maritime security at asean-australia special summit hinh 0
PM Phuc was one of the four ASEAN leaders to have been invited to give a keynote speech at the retreat. 

He urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia to step cooperation and mutual trust, for interests of each side, as well as for cooperation and stability in the region. 
Both sides should double efforts to build open, transparent, inclusive order in the region, and ensure that regional countries comply with international law and respect each other’s interests, Phuc said.

They were also urged to carry out effectively the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand free trade agreement, soon finalized negations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. 

He stressed that greater attention should be given to innovations, connectivity promotion, support for businesses and improvement of added values of ASEAN economies and Australia in the global value chain, while suggesting both sides should intensify cooperation programmes targeting people, especially via collaboration in education-training,cross-cultural exchange and people-to-people contacts so as to provide a solid foundation for reinforcing the ASEAN-Australia relationship in the time ahead.

At the retreat, ASEAN and Australia leaders also discussed strategic regional and international matters of shared concern, including the Korean Peninsula and East Sea issues. 

Meanwhile, at the plenary session of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit the same day, they compared notes on orientations of the ASEAN-Australia strategic partnership with the centre on collaboration in economy and anti-terrorism.

They pledged to bolster in building a peaceful and prosperous region for ASEAN citizens. 

Australia voiced its support for ASEAN’s central role in an open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture, while increasing dialogue mechanisms at levels with the ten-member group on strategic regional issues. Such dialogue mechanisms include the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+). 
They also concurred to enhance trade and investment and support the multilateral trade system on the basis of respecting law, along with deepening economic links between ASEAN and Australia. 

They vowed to offer favourable conditions for businesses, especially small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), support start-ups and stimulate the digital economy. 

ASEAN and Australia reiterated their commitment to pushing negotiations to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement as scheduled. 

Concerning anti-terrorism cooperation, they highlighted the signing of a memorandum of understanding on anti-terrorism on March 17 as a milestone in the joint combat. 

The two sides also agreed to augment cooperation in education, training and people-to-people exchange, particularly within the framework of the New Colombo Plan.

On the fringes of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, PM Phuc also met with Cambodian PM Samdech Hun Sen, Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha, Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysian PM Najib Razak, Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Long and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. 

Cambodian PM Samdech Hun Sen and Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi confirmed their participation in the sixth Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit (GMS 6) set for March 29-31, 2018 in Hanoi. 

The same day, PM Phuc, his wife and high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Sydney, ending their activities within the official visit to Australia and the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit from March 14-18.

PSNews

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.