 (Photo: VNA) |
At the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat) in Siem Reap, Cambodia on Tuesday, the Ministers discussed maritime security challenges including the East Sea issue and emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea).
 Vietnam's Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang. (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang said ensuring peace, security and stability in the region and the East Sea is the common concern and interest of countries. ASEAN needs to be consistent with its principles in the East Sea, promote the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, accelerate the building of the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea in a practical, effective manner, settle encounters at sea by peaceful, friendly, and cooperative means, and comply with international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, he said.
Mr. Giang noted the bloc needs a harmonized approach expanding its relations with partners while maintaining consensus and solidarity, and ensuring that ASEAN-led mechanisms are effective and not pulled into agendas and goals of other countries outside the region.