PM highlights importance of forming ASEAN Community

PM Nguyen Tan Dung urges ASEAN and China to conduct substantial consultations on a Code of Conduct for the East Sea at the plenary session of the 27th ASEAN Summit, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: VGP

PM Nguyen Tan Dung made that statement at the plenary session of the 27th ASEAN Summit on November 21 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ASEAN Vision 2025 and specific plans approved at the summit will orient and facilitate deeper linkages among ASEAN member countries, and help the bloc to play a greater role in the region, said PM Dung.

ASEAN needs to uphold its values and way to harmonize national benefits and the bloc’s common benefits, PM Dung stressed.

The Vietnamese PM highlighted priorities that ASEAN should focus on in the next development stage, including measures and resources to effectively launch the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and blue prints, strengthen solidarity and position, enhance capacity and promote the central role of ASEAN, particularly in addressing challenges related to peace, security and development in the region.

Regarding the East Sea issue, PM Dung underlined that the large-scale construction and land reclaimaton and other unilateral actions on the East Sea have caused serious consequences, intensified tensions, eroded trust and may lead to militarization and conflicts at sea, threatening regional peace and stability.

The guaranty of peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation on the East Sea is the common interest and responsibility of both ASEAN and nations inside and outside in the region, showing the prestige and central role of ASEAN, he stated.

PM Dung stressed that the aforesaid situation requires ASEAN to cement solidarity and unity and undertake several tasks like timely voicing common concern over the complicated happenings and unilateral actions in the East Sea as well as dangerous consequences.

At the same time, ASEAN needs to foster the observation of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, preventing the use or threat to use forces as well as actions that may complicate the situation and intensify tensions at sea.

PM Dung also called for strengthening measures to build trust, ease tensions, and prevent conflicts through ASEAN led mechanisms

ASEAN also needs to step up exchanges with China and urge China to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and quicken the conclusion a Code of Conduct for the East Sea, he added.

The signing ceremony of the Declaration on the establishment of the ASEAN Community 2015 and the Declaration on ASEAN Community Vision 2025 will be held tomorrow under the witness of the leaders of ASEAN dialogue partners and the United Nations Secretary-General.