Viet Nam attends ASEAN, ASEAN+3 and EAS senior officials' meetings

These events include the ASEAN SOM, the ASEAN Plus Three Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM ASEAN 3), and the East Asia Summit Preparatory Senior Officials' Meeting (EAS Prep-SOM), focused discussion on preparations for the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits slated for October 8-11 in Vientiane, Laos.

As planned, the series of Summits will include about 20 activities held at the National Convention Center of Laos, with the participation of leaders of ASEAN countries and partners, along with many guests representing international and regional organizations.

These summits offer an opportunity for representatives of ASEAN and its partners to discuss and make strategic decisions to accelerate the Community-building process, boost the bloc's relations with its partners, and discuss regional and global issues.

About 80 documents are expected to be adopted or noted at the events.

Countries highly valued Laos' preparations and coordination, affirming their commitment to closely collaborate with Laos – the ASEAN Chair in 2024, in organizing the events.

At the SOM meetings, partners affirmed their support for ASEAN's central role and commitment to working with ASEAN to build an open, transparent, inclusive, rules-based regional structure and supporting the implementation of cooperation areas within the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific framework.

They expressed concern about complex developments in the region and globally, such as the East Sea, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East, and the conflict in Ukraine, highlighting the necessity to adhere to international law, the UN Charter, and peacefully resolve disputes in accordance with international law and the UNCLOS 1982.

In his remarks at the meetings, Do affirmed Viet Nam's support for Laos in successfully chairing the critical events, contributing to the overall success of the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024.

The Vietnamese official joined other delegates in debating and contributing opinions on the ASEAN Community-building process and the bloc's relations with its partners, mainly focusing on measures and initiatives to realize the theme of promoting connectivity and resilience in the region.

He affirmed that Viet Nam supports Timor-Leste in becoming a full member of ASEAN and is ready to share Viet Nam's experiences during its preparation to join ASEAN in the early 1990s.

He also stressed that ASEAN should support, facilitate, and further simplify procedures for Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN.

Applauding efforts to deepen ASEAN 3 and EAS cooperation mechanisms, Deputy Foreign Minister Do urged partners to continue supporting ASEAN in building the Community, fostering substantive cooperation to promote regional connectivity and resilience, and effectively leveraging emerging trends in innovation, digital economy, digital transformation, and green transition.

Regarding global and regional situations, he called on partners to support ASEAN's common principled stance, including those related to the East Sea issue.

Do emphasized the importance of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in peacefully resolving disputes, affirming Viet Nam's desire to work with other countries to maintain and promote peace, security, stability, cooperation, and development.

On this occasion, Do met with ASEAN's partners, including Japan, Australia, and the U.S., to discuss bilateral cooperation and coordination issues at multilateral forums./.