Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (front, fourth from left) and other heads of delegations at the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting pose for a photo (Photo: VNA)Madrid (VNA) – Foreign ministers ofthe Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) countries convened a plenary session onsustainable connectivity between Asia and Europe on December 16 as part oftheir 14th meeting in Madrid, Spain.
At the meeting’s second plenum in the afternoon,they agreed to continue focusing on connectivity cooperation and effectiveimplementation of the ASEM connectivity plan of action adopted at the 12th ASEMSummit in Brussels, Belgium, in October 2018.
The meeting agreed to push ahead withsustainable and comprehensive connectivity with a focus on transport, energy,digital technology and human connectivity on an equitable, open and transparentbasis that ensures economic, financial and environmental sustainability,capitalises on opportunities and responds to issues involving the digitaleconomy.
The ministers said it is necessary to guaranteethe quality and sustainability of infrastructure development, and thatinfrastructure projects match international standards.
Earlier the same day, the ASEM foreign ministersheld a discussion on international and regional issues, looking into thoserelevant to peace, security, anti-terrorism, non-proliferation of weapons ofmass destruction, and navigation security.
With regards to navigation security and safetyin the East Sea, they affirmed their commitments to maintaining peace,stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in thewaters, and to keeping sea-based economic activities from being hampered inline with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention onthe Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The ministers also demanded relevant parties notto take action that caused instability or escalated tensions.
They also called for the peaceful settlement ofdisputes in accordance with international law, the exercise of self-restraintfrom unilateral actions that run counter to international law, no threat or useof force that violate the UN Charter, respect for the diplomatic processes aswell as the rights of coastal countries, and promotion of trust-buildingmeasures.
Addressing this event, Vietnamese Deputy PrimeMinister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh stressed that amidst unpredictablechanges in the world, international law and the UN Charter play a fundamentalrole in building a rules-based world order, promoting equitable and fairrelations among countries, and effectively dealing with challenges of the era.
Vietnam supports every effort that is in linewith the UN Charter and international law to seek peaceful and sustainablesolutions to conflicts and disputes in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, hesaid.
Minh also pointed out that in the recent past, anumber of complex developments have occurred in the East Sea, which is home tomany arterial shipping lanes, posing potential risks of tensions and negativelyaffecting peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation inthe region.
He emphasised that Vietnam and other members ofthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are committed to enhancingdialogue, building trust, stepping up preventive measures, and peacefullyresolving disputes on the basis of international law, including the UN Charterand the 1982 UNCLOS.
Minh also highlighted the request for no use orthreat to use force, the full and effective implementation of the Declarationon the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the building of anefficient and effective Code of Conduct (COC) of parties in the East Sea thatconforms with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS.
He underlined the need for all countries touphold respect for law to help ensure security, safety and freedom ofnavigation and overflight and build the East Sea into a sea of peace,cooperation and prosperous development.
After a hectic agenda, the 14th ASEM ForeignMinisters’ Meeting wrapped up in the afternoon. It adopted a statement whichaffirms the members’ resolve to bolster the Asia-Europe partnership foreffective multilateralism, cooperate to cope with global challenges, and fosterconnectivity between the two continents. The statement also puts forthorientations to elevate the ASEM cooperation in the future./.
VNA
