VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem urged co-operation among ASEAN member countries on accelerating endeavours aimed at peace, security, stability and development.

Delegates at the meeting. (Source: AFP/VNA)

ASEAN nations should face challenges confidently and settle disputes via peaceful dialogue in accordance with principles set out by international law and United Nations Charter, Khiem said.

Touching on the East Sea issue, Khiem emphasised that maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and safety was in the interest of the entire region, obligated to follow the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the East Sea (DOC) and the Code of Conduct on the East Sea (COC).

The 18th ARF, the first event of its kind to be attended by the foreign ministers of both the US and Russia, marks the successful annual meeting of ASEAN officials in preparation for the East Asian Summit (EAS) scheduled to take place in Bali in November.

During the one-day event, ministers called for the further consolidation of tools, such as the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia (TAC), aimed at ensuring regional peace, stability and security.

The Ha Noi Action Plan, related to the implementation of the ARF Vision Statement for confidence building and preventive diplomacy, was highly praised at the event, held in aid of building an ASEAN Community by 2015.