PM calls on ASEAN to stay united and consolidate common stances on East Sea issue

Prime Minister Pham made the call while delivering his remarks at the retreat session of the 45th ASEAN Summit in Vientiane, Laos on October 9.

Territorial and maritime disputes in the East Sea must be settled by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, Pham stressed.

He urged all parties to respect interests and sovereign rights of the relevant countries and underscored the need to ensure security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea the shipping lane of top importance as 60 percent of the world's goods are transported through the East Sea.

Regarding Myanmar issue, Pham spoke highly of the role played by Laos as the Chair of ASEAN in 2024 and other countries as the previous Chair of ASEAN in assisting Myanmar to seek solutions on the basis of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus.

He, however, pointed out that the implementation process remained limited, prompting the need for ASEAN to adopt a new approach.

The solutions to Myanmar issue must be decided by the people of Myanmar, emphasized the Vietnamese Prime Minister, calling on relevant sides in Myanmar to engage in dialogues and negotiations to end conflicts so as to not to affect prevent negative impacts on regional security

He also urged the relevant sides in Myanmar to work together to find solutions while ASEAN should promote its role in creating conditions for the sides to join dialogues and negotiations, adding that in this process, ASEAN should consolidate solidarity and unity and promote its central role./.