Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh (first from right)) has highlighted that ensuring peace and stability, including maritime security, is a shared interest of all states in and outside of Southeast Asia. — VNA/Kyodo Photo

MANILA – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh has highlighted that ensuring peace and stability, including maritime security, is a shared interest of all states in and outside of Southeast Asia.

Addressing the 24th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Manila, the Philippines, yesterday, the Deputy PM underlined concerns about construction and militarisation activities at sea.

He proposed maintaining the existing principles and stances on the East Sea stated in ASEAN documents and between the association its partners, especially those related to the settlement of disputes through peaceful methods without using or threatening to use force, and respect for international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, as well as diplomatic and legal processes.

He called on partners and the international community to continue the supporting efforts of ASEAN and China in negotiating a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

He also suggested reinforcing and expanding dialogue and trust-building measures and forming a common perspective in implementing preventive diplomacy.

At the forum, the ministers agreed on the need to promote the role of the ARF as the leading forum on dialogue and security co-operation and the building of trust and preventive diplomacy, contributing to ensuring peace, stability and stability in Asia-Pacific.

They decided to continue implementing the Hanoi Plan of Action and the ARF Vision Statement and partnership in areas such as combating terrorism and trans-national crimes, as well as maritime security, natural disaster relief, weapon non-proliferation, disarmament and peacekeeping.

They committed to measures to build trust, while developing preventive diplomatic measures and maintaining the fundamental principles of the forum.

They also approved activities for 2017-18, with Việt Nam chairing two conferences on co-operation among law enforcement agencies at sea and capacity building for peacekeeping forces.

At the same time, the ministers agreed to establish the ARF Inter-Sessional Meeting on Information and Communication Technologies to meet the increasing requirements of the region in the field.

They also adopted two ARF Foreign Ministers’ declarations on illegal fishing and drug prevention.

The 24th ARF meeting is part of the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting from August 2-8 in Manila, the Philippines, with the participation of 10 ASEAN members and 17 partners. — VNS