Affirming that ASEAN is the focus of efforts to promote peace, stability and cooperation in the region

On July 12, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and ASEAN Foreign Ministers attended the AMM-56 retreat to discuss the international and regional situation and orientations for mechanisms established by ASEAN.

AMM-56: Khẳng định ASEAN là tâm điểm của các nỗ lực thúc đẩy hòa bình, ổn định và hợp tác ở khu vực

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and ASEAN Foreign Ministers attend the AMM-56 retreat. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

In a frank and constructive spirit, the Ministers had a substantive discussion, assessing strategic movements in the regional and international environment and their impacts on ASEAN, and exchanging orientations to promote ASEAN's role and contributions to peace , security and stability in the region.

The Ministers shared common views on the current unstable, complicated and potentially risky situation, notably strategic competition between major countries, cross-border security issues and complicated developments at many hotspots.

In that context, it is more important for ASEAN to maintain solidarity, actively consult to find appropriate ways of behaving and maintain a balanced and harmonious approach in foreign relations.

Accordingly, all countries emphasized the importance of complying with the principles, standards and common values stated in documents such as the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo- Pacific (AOIP).

The conference also discussed ways to strengthen ASEAN's central role in the regional structure, through improving the operational efficiency of ASEAN-led mechanisms to match the initial goals and future development potential.

The Ministers affirmed ASEAN's desire to expand and deepen relations with partners, while emphasizing that the participation of partners in the region must be based on respect for ASEAN's central role, promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly contributing to building an open, transparent, inclusive and rules-based regional structure.

Overview of the AMM-56 retreat. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Discussing international and regional issues of mutual concern, the Ministers shared concerns about the ongoing complicated situation in Myanmar, emphasizing the need for ASEAN to maintain solidarity, promote its central role in supporting Myanmar, and ensure ASEAN's image and prestige.

The Ministers affirmed that the Five-Point Consensus and the 2022 Leaders' Decision on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus remain valid and remain guiding documents for ASEAN's efforts, expressed support for the efforts of the Chair and Special Envoy, continued constructive dialogue with Myanmar, and persistently supported Myanmar in finding feasible and sustainable solutions.

The Ministers agreed that ASEAN needs to actively increase humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, especially promoting the role of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) in mobilizing and implementing humanitarian assistance for the people of this country.

The Ministers reaffirmed ASEAN's principled stance on the East Sea, committed to fully and effectively implementing the DOC, and towards building a substantive and effective COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

The conference also called on partners to respect ASEAN's central role and stance, especially on issues related to peace, security and stability in the region.

Speaking at the discussion session, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son shared the urgency of promoting the role of ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the current context.

ASEAN needs to ensure the objectives, principles, openness and inclusiveness of the mechanisms on the basis of a balanced and objective approach, responding to the legitimate concerns of all parties.

Speaking at the meeting, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son shared the urgency of promoting the role of ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in the current context. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

The Minister supports ASEAN in strengthening relations with partners, encouraging the participation and contributions of partners in the region, supporting ASEAN in building the Community, and jointly responding to common challenges.

At the same time, the Minister also emphasized that partners need to respect ASEAN's central role in both words and actions, work with ASEAN to build trust, narrow differences, and promote dialogue and sincere cooperation.

The Minister shared ASEAN's principled stance on international and regional issues. The Minister supported ASEAN's support for Myanmar in finding solutions, affirmed the value of the Five-Point Consensus, appreciated the efforts of the Chair and the Special Envoy; and emphasized that the solution to the Myanmar issue must be decided by Myanmar.

Regarding the East Sea, the Minister emphasized the need to ensure a favorable environment for COC negotiations, and suggested that ASEAN should persevere with its principled stance, uphold international law and UNCLOS 1982, and work towards building the East Sea into a sea of peace and cooperation.

* Immediately after the closed session, ASEAN Foreign Ministers witnessed Saudi Arabia signing the document of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). This is the 51st party to join the TAC.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, signs the document of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi hands over documents to ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

* Tomorrow morning, July 13, ASEAN Foreign Ministers will attend meetings with partners from India, New Zealand, Russia, Australia and China to review cooperation and set out directions for the coming time.

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