In his remarks in Malaysia on July 9, Son shared views of other countries regarding the recent rapid and volatile developments in the international landscape, highlighting that peace and security are facing serious challenges, continued conflicts and tensions, as well as the increasingly alarming acts of using or threatening to use force, especially those targeting civilian and nuclear infrastructure facilities.

He affirmed that the spirit of family unity, community solidarity and close neighbourliness, along with the solid foundation of dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, has made ASEAN successful over the past decades.

These achievements should be carried forward, especially in the process of realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, he stressed.

ASEAN needs to continue strengthening its capacity for strategic resilience and self-reliance, while proactively promoting relations with partners, contributing to maintaining strategic balance in the region while expanding cooperation in responding to common challenges, Son stressed.

He also suggested that the bloc promote its centrality in shaping and leading regional processes, improving the operational efficiency of existing mechanisms, including making use of the role of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) in Jakarta.

Appreciating Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair, Son affirmed that Vietnam would continue to contribute actively to fostering consensus and a unified voice within ASEAN on regional and international issues.

Regarding the situation in Myanmar, he said Vietnam stands ready to support the recovery and reconstruction process, proposing that ASEAN study a new approach and develop a plan to implement the five-point Consensus with specific goals, a clear roadmap and feasible steps.

For the East Sea, Son showed concern over recent situations, stressing that ASEAN should maintain its principled stance; uphold international law, particularly the the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); promote dialogue; exercise restraint; build trust, and seek peaceful solutions to disputes.

Vietnam remains committed to working closely with other countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea, and push for the early finalisation of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) that is in line with international law and UNCLOS 1982.

The Retreat focused on reviewing and setting directions for ASEAN’s external relations and discussing regional and international issues of common concern.

Participants noted positive progress in cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, and agreed that future action plans should be closely aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the bloc’s cooperation strategies.

The same day, Son and ASEAN foreign ministers attended the signing ceremony marking Uruguay and Algeria’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), bringing the total number of signatories to 57.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings with partner countries within the framework of ASEAN+1 and ASEAN+3 are scheduled to take place on July 10.

Vietnam and Philippines pledge to effectively deploy cooperation mechanisms

VOV.VN - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro agreed to promote the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, during their meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 9.