(VOVworld) – ASEAN members and New Zealand have emphasized the need for cooperation, trust building, dialogue maintenance, and ensuring peace, security and stability in the region.

At the 24th ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue held in Christchurch, New Zealand.  (Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA)

At the just-concluded ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue held in Christchurch, New Zealand, the host country pledged to join security cooperation mechanisms led by ASEAN, attach greater importance to relations with ASEAN, and support ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional architecture.

Participating countries expressed concern about recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and the situation in the East Sea.

New Zealand expressed support for ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea and underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and respect for diplomatic and legal processes in line with international law.

Both sides agreed on regional economic connectivity, with immediate priorities given to quickly concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership negotiations.

ASEAN members asked New Zealand to extend support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises, which is one of the priorities in building the ASEAN Economic Community.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung urged closer collaboration on regional security mechanisms led by ASEAN.

He called for joint work to build the capacity to cope with security challenges, improve law enforcement, and tighten maritime coordination.