Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung at the 16th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Thursday in Manila. — VNA/VNS Photo

MANILA — Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung called on East Asia Summit (EAS) countries to prioritise practical cooperation in areas that directly benefit people, including energy, digital transformation, cybersecurity and combating transnational crime, cybercrime and online fraud.

He was speaking at the 16th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Thursday in Manila.

Trung underscored ASEAN’s centrality as the foundation for bringing EAS leaders together for candid dialogue on strategic issues, managing differences, building trust and pursuing shared interests.

On peace and security, the minister stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability while upholding international law and universally accepted norms of conduct in all regions, including the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).

He commended the Philippines, as EAS Chair, for its regular consultations and close coordination with ASEAN member states in forging timely common positions and responses to emergencies and crises.

Trung also agreed that all parties involved in the East Sea issues should continue exercising restraint, remain committed to resolving disputes through peaceful means and respect diplomatic and legal processes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The attending ministers welcomed the positive progress made in implementing the EAS Plan of Action 2024–2028, particularly in priority areas such as peace and security, sustainable development, climate change, energy, digital transformation, the digital economy, connectivity, education, healthcare, disaster management, food security, maritime cooperation and tourism.

Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex and unpredictable regional and global landscape, the ministers agreed to strengthen the EAS as an open, transparent and inclusive forum that contributes to promoting multilateralism, respect for international law and maintaining a peaceful, stable and predictable environment, while enhancing practical cooperation in line with the objectives and principles of the EAS and ASEAN's priorities.

They also pledged to continue institutional improvements to enhance the effectiveness of the EAS, ensuring that the mechanism remains relevant while strengthening its resilience and adaptability.

Participants at the meeting underscored the importance of enhancing dialogue, building trust and narrowing differences, while stepping up practical cooperation to address emerging challenges, including maritime security, cybersecurity and transnational crime, particularly cybercrime and online scams.

They reaffirmed the significance of preserving an open, rules-based multilateral trading system and called for stronger regional cooperation to enhance resilience through digital transformation, the circular economy, green growth, connectivity, sustainable supply chains and energy and food security.

The ministers also highlighted the need to deepen practical cooperation in education, healthcare, mental health, disaster management, human resource development, and the empowerment of women, youth and vulnerable groups.

Considerable time was devoted to exchanging views on regional and international issues of common concern, including the East Sea, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula and the Middle East.

Recognising the strategic importance of the East Sea as a vital maritime corridor, the ministers reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS.

They called on all parties to exercise self-restraint, refrain from actions that could complicate the situation or lead to misunderstanding or miscalculation, and resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

The ministers also took note of the progress in negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea and expressed hope that it would be substantive, effective and consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS 1982. — VNS