ASEAN remains a beacon of peace amid growing global uncertainties: Vietnamese official
The spirit of family unity, community solidarity and close neighbourliness, along with the solid foundation of dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, has made ASEAN successful over the past decades.
At the signing ceremony of the instrument of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Coopetition in Southeast Asia (TAC) by Algeria and Uruguay . (Photo: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - ASEAN plays a role as a "beacon of peace" and a model regional organisation for dialꦅogue, cooperation, and the peaceful settlement of differences, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son stated at the🅷 ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat within the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-58) in Malaysia on July 9.
In his remarks, Son shared views of other countries regarding the recent rapid and volatile developments in the international landscape, highlighting that peace and security are facing serious challenges, continued conflicts and tensions, as well as the increasingly alarming acts of using or threatening to use force, especially those targeting civilian and nuclear infrastructure facilities.
He affirmed that the spirit of family unity, community solidarity and close neighbourliness, along with the solid foundation of dialogue, diplomacy and respect for international law, has made ASEAN successful over the past decades.
These achievements should be carried forward, especially in the process of realising the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, he stressed.
ASEAN needs to continue strengthening its capacity for strategic resilience and self-reliance, while proactively promoting relations with partners, contributing to maintaining strategic balance in the region while expanding cooperation in responding to common challenges, Son stressed.
He also suggested the bloc promote its centrality in shaping and leading regional processes, improving the operational efficiency of existing mechanisms, including making use of the role of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) in Jakarta.
Appreciating Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair, Son affirmed that Vietnam will continue to contribute actively to fostering consensus and a unified voice within ASEAN on regional and international issues.
On the sidelines of AMM-58, Son meets with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro. (Photo: VNA)
Regarding the situation in Myanmar, he said Vietnam stands ready to support the recovery and reconstruction process, proposing that ASEAN study a new approach and develop a plan to implement the five-point Consensus with specific goals, a clear roadmap and feasible steps.
For the East Sea, Son showed concern over recent situations, stressing that ASEAN should maintain its principled stance; uphold international law, particularly the the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); promote dialogue; exercise restraint; build trust, and seek peaceful solutions to disputes.
Vietnam remains committed to working closely with other countries to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea, and push for the early finalisation of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) that is in line with international law and UNCLOS 1982.
The Retreat focused on reviewing and setting directions for ASEAN’s external relations and discussing regional and international issues of common concern.
Participants noted positive progress in cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, and agreed that future action plans should be closely aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the bloc’s cooperation strategies.
The same day afternoon, Son and ASEAN foreign ministers attended the signing ceremony marking Uruguay and Algeria’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), bringing the total number of signatories to 57.
ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meetings with partner countries within the framework of ASEAN+1 and ASEAN+3 are scheduled to take place on July 10.
On the sidelines of AMM-58, Son had a meeting with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro.
The Vietnamese official affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to work closely with the Philippines to effectively implement bilateral agreements, for the mutual benefit of the two peoples and the shared goal of building a peaceful, stable, resilient, and sustainable region.
For her part, Lazaro affirmed that the Philippines attaches great importance to its strategic partnership with Vietnam.
The two sides highlighted positive developments in the Vietnam–Philippines strategic partnership in recent times, underscoring the importance of maintaining high-level visits and exchanges, as well as promoting the effectiveness of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
They agreed to further strengthen collaboration in key areas such as defence - security, trade, maritime cooperation, education - training, and people-to-people interactions.
The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and reaffirmed their commitment to continued close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums, including the UN and ASEAN, for peace and stability in the region./.
Within the framework of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-58) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. Kao Kim Hourn held bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders on July 9.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son commended the AICHR’s contributions over the past 15 years and expressed confidence in its continued role in advancing the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and other regional cooperation strategies.
Ambassador Binh and other representatives highly appreciated the role of the ASEAN Chair - Malaysia - in coordinating and leading ASEAN cooperation to achieve many advances, gradually concretising the orientation of "inclusivity and sustainability".
Deputy PM Nguyen Chi Dung expressed his hope that Lao leaders would continue to guide relevant agencies in coordinating closely with their Vietnamese counterparts to effectively carry out assigned tasks.
The two sides briefed updates on the situation in each country, reviewed bilateral cooperation in recent time, and discussed specific directions and measures to further strengthen the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in the time to come.
The two sides spoke highly of the continuously strengthened Vietnam–France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, particularly through recent high-level delegation exchanges. They pledged to further foster parliamentary cooperation, highlighting the active contributions of the two countries’ friendship parliamentary groups to fostering the bilateral relations.
The officials agreed on the need to effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), remove technical barriers, and open markets to each other’s key export items such as agro-forestry-fishery products, apparel, footwear, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, in order to boost bilateral trade and ensure a more balanced trade structure.
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha held a meeting with US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and a delegation from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Hanoi on July 9.
Vietnam's removal of intermediary and district-level units, restructuring of ministries and agencies, organisation of a two-tier local government model, clear delegation of authority to the grassroots level, and shift from pre- to post-audit mechanisms aim to enhance efficiency and better serve the public.
The visit brought concrete benefits not just in diplomatic and economic terms, but also in reinforcing mutual understanding, expanding Vietnam’s global footprint, and building new bridges between continents - firmly positioning Vietnam as a proactive contributor to peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and beyond.
The two sides noted that cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries has become increasingly close and trustworthy in recent times. Based on their 2021–2025 cooperation agreement, both sides have maintained regular political consultation mechanisms, thereby laying a solid foundation for improving the effectiveness of economic diplomacy in each country.
The Venezuelan Vice President proposed that the two countries intensify cooperation in information and communications, and regard this as a key area of people-to-people diplomacy.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man requested enhancing the supervisory role of the people, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and socio-political organisations to ensure the election process is truly substantive and effective.
Ties between the France – Vietnam and Vietnam – France parliamentary friendship groups are grounded in sincere collaboration, now spanning critical areas such as healthcare, climate change, culture, local governance, energy, and Francophonie initiatives.
Brian Eyler, Director of the Southeast Asia Programme at the the US’s Stimson Centre, called the war in Vietnam a mistake for the US - one that should have never happened. It affected millions of Vietnamese and hundreds of thousands of Americans. He noted that many US veterans came to realise the wrongs of the past and have since sought reconciliation, viewing Vietnam as both a friend and a partner in building a renewed relationship.
The trip from July 4 to 8, made at the invitation of Brazilian President Lula da Silva, featured nearly 40 activities, including those within the BRICS summit, meetings with leaders of other counties and international organisations, and bilateral activities with the Brazilian side.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son separately met with Lao, Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM 58) and Post Ministerial Conferences in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 8.
The amnesty embodies the Party and State’s dual approach: strict legal enforcement paired with humane and rehabilitative policies toward remorseful offenders, said Permanent Deputy PM Nguyen Hoa Binh.
