Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Minh Vũ attended the 9th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) in the Dominican Republic on November 9. — Photo vtv.vn

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Minh Vũ attended the 9th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) in Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, on November 9.

Addressing the event, the Deputy Minister highlighted the positive and steady development of the forum over the past 20 years in areas of politics-society, economy-trade, cultural and people-to-people exchange.

He proposed that in the future, the forum should further exploit development potential, cultural diversity and people’s dynamism to boost the sustainable, inclusive and creative growth of East Asia and Latin America as well as friendship among people of both sides.

He thanked FEALAC member countries for supporting the project initiated by Việt Nam in fostering East Asia-Latin America cultural exchange through the Huế Festival. He also invited representatives to join the Huế Festival 2020 scheduled for April 1-6.

He also expressed his hope that the member countries will continue supporting Việt Nam’s initiative on FEALAC cultural city network.

Participants reviewed the development of the forum over the past two decades and defined orientations for future cooperation.

They adopted the Santo Domingo Statement, affirming their commitments in cooperating in politics, society, culture, tourism, science-technology and trade, and enhancing public awareness of the forum.

They also pledged to abide by the UN Charter as well as regulations recognised broadly by international law, maintaining peace, stability and maritime and aviation security and safety.

Earlier, FEALAC senior officials also convened their meeting, along with the third meeting of the FEALAC Trust Fund’s Coordinating Committee, and several other discussions.

During his stay, Deputy Minister Vũ meet with Dominican Minister of Regional Integration Miguel Mejia and Deputy Foreign Minister Jose Blanco, and laid flowers at the Hồ Chí Minh Square in Santo Domingo. He also met bilaterally with heads of the delegations from Cuba, Ecuador and Peru.

Both sides discussed measures to bolster relations and continue coordinating at international organisations and multilateral forums and support each other in dealing with sovereignty disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, especially the UN Charter and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. — VNS