PM Phúc yesterday attended the ASEAN+3 Summit with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, the ASEAN-Canada 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit and the ASEAN-EU 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit in Manila, the Philippines.— VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

MANILA — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has expressed his appreciation over the ties with partner countries and lauded their commitments to building the ASEAN Community and upholding its central role in the region. 

PM Phúc yesterday made the statement at the ASEAN+3 Summit with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, the ASEAN-Canada 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit and the ASEAN-EU 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit in Manila, the Philippines. 

At the ASEAN+3 Summit, the Vietnamese PM suggested that the ASEAN+3 mechanism should be geared towards regional economic growth, especially in trade, finance, infrastructure, narrowing the development gap, connecting and improving micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)’ capacity. 
He urged member states of ASEAN+3 to boost co-operation in coping with emerging security challenges, including transnational crime, climate change, and the management of disasters and epidemics. 
Participating leaders pledged to continue strengthening collaboration in politics, economy, finance, socio-culture, people-to-people exchanges, business connectivity, and working towards building the East Asia Community. 
Chinese, Japanese and RoK leaders affirmed their commitments to regional co-operation, trade liberalisation, digital economic development and infrastructure connectivity. They also wished to soon conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). 
The summit adopted the Manila Declaration on the 20th Anniversary of ASEAN+3 Co-operation, the ASEAN+3 Leaders’ Statement on Food Security Cooperation and took note of the Report on the implementation of the Action Plan on ASEAN+3 Co-operation and the Action Plan on ASEAN+3 Economic Cooperation adopted by the ASEAN+3 Ministerial Meeting in August 2017. 
Addressing the ASEAN-Canada 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit, PM Phúc highlighted three priority areas of coordination, namely improving MSMEs’ capacity; enhancing connectivity, including human connectivity; and coping with challenges regarding climate change, terrorism, extreme violence and maritime security. 
He suggested Canada assists ASEAN in improving its capacity of ensuring maritime security, training law specialists and shares its experience in settling disputes at sea in line with international law. 
The Canadian side vowed to work closely with ASEAN to effectively realise the 2016-20 Action Plan and strengthen the bloc’s central role in evolving regional architecture via ASEAN-led mechanisms. 
On the occasion, ASEAN leaders also took note of Canada’s proposal to partake in the 12th East Asia Summit (EAS 12) and the ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and consider the possibility of signing an ASEAN-Canada trade agreement in the future. 
In his speech delivered at the ASEAN-EU 40th Anniversary Commemorative Summit, PM Phúc said ASEAN and the EU should co-ordinate closely to implement economic-trade cooperation programmes, and cope with natural disasters as well as traditional and non-traditional security challenges. 
On regional and global issues of mutual concern, he affirmed Việt Nam’s consistent stance on the denuclearisation on the Korean Peninsula as well as ASEAN’s viewpoint on the East Sea issue, particularly principles mentioned in the Joint Communiqué of the 50th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in August 2017. 
"Việt Nam is ready to join other ASEAN member states to actively contribute to peace, stability and development in the region," PM Phúc stressed. 
Also yesterday, ASEAN leaders attended EAS 12 with eight partner countries including China, Japan, the RoK, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia and the US, the 15th ASEAN-India Summit, signed the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, attended the closing ceremony of the 31st ASEAN Summit and witnessed the transfer of ASEAN Chairmanship to Singapore.

Meeting with Indian PM

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday met with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the 31st ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Manila, the Philippines. 
PM Phúc congratulated India on its socio-economic achievements and affirmed that Viet Nam continuously attaches significance to developing its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with India. 
The Indian PM also hailed Việt Nam’s socio-economic development and international integration, and reiterated that his country continues to consider Việt Nam one of the pillars in its “Act East” policy. 
The two PMs exchanged measures to boost bilateral cooperative ties, agreeing to step up their defence partnership and provide technology transfer and financial credit for Viet Nam. 
The two sides expressed their belief that two-way trade between the two countries will reach US$15 billion in 2020, and agreed on ways to boost aviation and maritime connectivity. 
India will increase its investment in Việt Nam’s large potential sectors, such as infrastructure, information and communication technology, mechanical engineering, industrial parks and hi-tech agriculture. 
The two sides reached a consensus on pushing for cooperation in energy, referring to India conducting oil and gas exploration and production and building thermal electricity plants. 
The two sides also agreed on implementing the framework agreement on exploring and using the space for peaceful purposes while boosting cooperation in economic development, culture, and people-to-people exchange. 
They discussed regional and international issues of shared interest. Việt Nam backs India’s Act East policy and its greater role in the region and the strategic partnership with ASEAN. The two sides will continue coordinating and supporting each other at international and regional forums. 
The two PMs shared the view on the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and aviation and maritime freedom in the East Sea, highlighting the compliance with international law, including the United Nations’ Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1982, with respect to the diplomatic and legal processes, settlement of disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of international law.— VNS