ASEAN Strengthens The Community, Overcoming Difficulties, Promoting Position

ASEAN Foreign Ministers.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat) wrapped up on February 4 in Jakarta, Indonesia, highlighting ASEAN's determination to promoting relations with regional and international partners on the basis of substance, equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, VNA reported.

According to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, the meeting had substantive discussions on key issues, focusing on evaluating the implementation of ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on Myanmar; regional and international issues; and the relations between ASEAN and partners.

Regarding Myanmar, Indonesia, as the ASEAN Chair in 2023, mentioned the implementation of 5PC, emphasising that the consensus has important significance and demonstrates ASEAN's unity in solving issues related to Myanmar.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers reaffirmed a unified approach to the implementation of the 5PC in order to settle the political crisis in the bloc’s member nation as well as to ensure humanitarian assistance programmes for Myanmar people, especially the Rohingya Muslims.

At the press conference for AMM Retreat 2023, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi of Indonesia highlighted the outcomes of the meeting.

Regarding the theme of the meeting “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, ASEAN member countries agreed on important contents to push towards positive outcomes, and mobilise resources to develop ASEAN Blue Economy Framework as well.

On the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) pillar, ASEAN FMs reaffirmed the importance of continuing to implement of Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the joint acceleration of the early completion of negotiations on a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) as soon as possible.

Indonesia will host negotiations on the COC with the first meeting scheduled for March. The ministers also agreed to evaluate and review specific projects within the framework of AOIP, including trust building with partners and cooperation on the basis of mutual interests of parties.

Marsudi said the ASEAN member states all support Indonesia's intention to convene important events within the framework of the ASEAN - Indo-Pacific forum to implement the AOIP, adding that Indonesia looks forward to working closely with all stakeholders during the processing of assuming its role as the ASEAN Chair 2023.

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat.

The Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, led by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, has actively contributed ideas to creating ASEAN's consensus on many important decisions such as measures to improve the group's institution effectiveness, implement the five-point consensus on the Myanmar issue, and support Timor Leste.

The statement was made on February 4 by Ambassador Vu Ho, acting head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, in an interview granted to VNA correspondents in Indonesia on the outcomes of the retreat.

Ambassador Ho said that the Vietnamese delegation not only discussed with other delegates to identify ASEAN's focuses and priorities, but also actively proposed many practical initiatives that are in line with the common concerns of other countries and the region.

Ambassador Vu Ho, acting head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam. Photo: VNA

FM Son announced Vietnam's plans to organise activities to promote inclusive recovery in ASEAN, respond to climate change, energy transition, as well as a number of cooperation activities with partners such as the Republic of Korea Day in ASEAN, and ASEAN-China meetings on the implementation of the DOC.

At the event, the Vietnamese official emphasised the meaning of a Community that truly serves the people and benefits the people. Accordingly, he suggested ASEAN pay more attention to cooperation and equitable and inclusive development in sub-regions, contributing to ensuring that people enjoy equitably the fruits of the Community building process.

He also raised Vietnam's view and stance on many issues that directly affect ASEAN and peace and security in the region.

According to Ambassador Vu Ho, Vietnam's opinions on the East Sea and Myanmar are assessed balanced and constructive, contributing to promoting the values of dialogue and cooperation, upholding international law, while promoting the spirit of solidarity and mutual assistance, and reinforcing ASEAN's principle stance.

He added that this ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat put forward important orientations for the group’s activities in 2023.

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