Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the international press conference (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has affirmed that the 36th ASEANSummit which was held on June 26 via video conference was a success.
During an international press conference following the event, PM Phuc, who is also ASEAN Chair 2020, affirmed that it isthe first time in more than half of the century the ASEAN Summit has been heldonline with the attendance of leaders of all ASEAN member states who reached highconsensus on important issues within the bloc.
Asked about regional cooperation in the fightagainst COVID-19 over the past time, the PM said the pandemic has spreadworldwide, with over 130,000 infections and nearly 4,000 deaths in the region,adding that the bloc took drastic and rapid actions in the cohesive and responsivespirit, including holding ASEAN summit and ASEAN 3 summit, and ASEAN meetingswith partners and initiating the establishment of COVID-19 response found,a medical warehouse and a standard process that were applauded by the community both inside andoutside the region.
As a result, the ASEAN member states graduallycurbed the pandemic and are striving to build the community, he said. The blochas proved the power of its community to overcome unprecedented difficulties forthe sake of common peace, stability and prosperity.
Regarding the impacts on Vietnam and ASEAN’seconomic recovery following COVID-19 when the US and China – two major economic andtrade partners of ASEAN, are competing geo-politically and economically, PMPhuc said the ASEAN and China as well as the US have bilateral and multilateraleconomic cooperation frameworks, which lay an important foundataion for them tostrengthen economic links.
The ASEAN always wants mutually-beneficialcooperation for regional peace and future development of partners, including China andthe US, he said, adding that fighting COVID-19 and economic recovery are two majortaks for the common interest of the international community, the US and China.
He expected that China and the US wouldoptimise similarities, overcome differences, build trust and bolstercollaboration for the common interests of the region and the world.
According to the PM, Vietnam together with the ASEANcountries are embarking on a comprehensive plan on post-COVID-19 recovery,upholding the bloc’s central role, holding conferences with China and the US tomaintain and facilitate trade and investment, and step up regional andglobal economic recovery.
Answering reporters' query about the pandemic’s impacts onVietnam’s agenda on the negotiations on the East Sea issues, PM Phuc affirmed thatpeace, security and stability in the region and the East Sea in particular are the common interest and aspiration of the community, especially the ASEAN.
The summit has reaffirmed the ASEAN’sdetermination to build the East Sea into a sea of cooperation, development,security and safety, he stressed.
As COVID-19 has disrupted discussions on thebuilding of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between the ASEAN and China, hesaid, adding that Vietnam and the ASEAN are working with parties concerned to exerciseself-restraint, prevent actions that could complicate the situation at sea, complywith international law, build an East Sea of peace, friendship, cooperation,maritime and aviation freedom, seriously implement the Declaration on the Conductof Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and accelerate talks on an effective and efficientCOC in line with international law, including the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.
