While attending the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh on Friday, Mr. Son called on countries to help turn the East Sea into a sea of peace and stability, safety and security, and openness and freedom, adding that all disputes must be resolved by peaceful means on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Vietnam pledged to join other ASEAN members and China to seriously and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and strive to soon finalise an efficient and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea that is in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

Regarding the recent developments in the region, the Vietnamese Minister repeated ASEAN and Vietnam’s stance that supports the “One China” policy.

He called on the parties concerned to exercise self-restraint, avoid complicating the situation, peacefully resolve disagreements and disputes, and adhere to international law, the UN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Son added ASEAN will maintain its engagement with Myanmar, and that the ASEAN Chair’s special envoy will strive to fully implement the Five-Point Consensus among ASEAN leaders.