Vietnam reaffirmed its stance on the East Sea at SOM ARF

PSNews - Vietnam once again affirms its consistent position on the East Sea (South China Sea), emphasizing the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, including UNCLOS 1982, and diplomatic and legal processes.

The Senior Officials' Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum (SOM ARF), hosted by the Philippines, took place in Manila on May 24 with the aim of discussing orientations for regional cooperation and preparing for the 24th ARF Foreign Ministerial Meeting in August 2017 in the Philippines.

Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of the SOM ARF of Vietnam led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the meetings.

Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of the SOM ARF of Vietnam leads a Vietnamese delegation to attend the meetings.
Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of the SOM ARF of Vietnam leads a Vietnamese delegation to attend the meetings.

The meeting recognized positive developments in the implementation of the Hanoi Plan of Action to realize the ARF 2020 Vision Statement and cooperation on priority areas, including maritime security, disaster relief, counterterrorism; transnational crime prevention; disarmament and nonproliferation.

The SOM ARF also reviewed new proposals for cooperation and agreed on a list of activities for the inter-session of 2017-2018, which will be submitted to the ministers for approval in August 2017.

In light of the rapid developments in the world and region and the emergence of complex, multi-dimensional security challenges, senior officials reaffirmed their determination to enhance the role of the ARF as an important security forum, aiming to promote dialogue, cooperation and building trust in the region.

Delegates emphasized the continued need to strengthen the basic principles of the Forum such as consultation, consensus, progressive development; and to accelerate the transition to preventive diplomacy in parallel with the vigorous deployment of confidence-building measures; to improve capacity in coping with emerging challenges in the region such as cyber security, piracy, terrorism and violent extremism, human trafficking, contributing to ensuring peace, development in the area.

Delegates at the meeting.
Delegates at the meeting.

Many countries at SOM ARF expressed concerns about the situation in the East Sea, especially in activities of accretion, embellishment and militarization, which seriously affect peace, security, maritime and aviation freedom and safety in the region.

 In this context, SOM ARF delegates continued affirming the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, including UNCLOS 1982. Member nations also applauded efforts made by ASEAN and China in seriously and fully realizing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as new progress in building the framework of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea, laying a foundation for the completion of a practical, effective and legally binding COC.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung once again reaffirmed Viet Nam's consistent position on the East Sea, emphasizing the importance of resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, including UNCLOS 1982 and diplomatic and legal processes.

In the context of continuing concern about embellishing and militarizing activities in the East Sea, the Vietnamese delegation affirmed that countries should step up their self-control, build trust and prevent marine incidents.

In addition, the Deputy Minister also applauded the efforts made by ASEAN and China in seriously and fully realizing the DOC as well as new progress in building the framework of the COC, laying a foundation for the completion of a practical, effective and legally binding COC.

Participants also exchanged views on the Korean Peninsula, calling for Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to stop its missile and nuclear weapons tests.

Member nations also stressed the importance of reducing tension, resuming dialogues and settling disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law, respecting and fully implementing relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

A DPRK representative then claimed that the country is forced to take action to protect itself against external security threats.

Under the plan, Vietnam will co-chair the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Maritime Security (ISM-MS) 2018-2020 together with its EU and Australian counterparts, and co-chair the ARF Experts and Eminent Persons (EEPs) 2018; and host the ARF Workshop on Strengthening Sea Legal Cooperation and Peacekeeping in 2017.

By Phung Nguyen

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.