Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of Vietnam's ASEAN SOM, attended the 33rd ASEAN-USDialogue, which was hel♋d via video conference on August 5 to discusscooperation orientations between the two sides in the coming time and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

DavidStilwell, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, saidthe US always attaches great importance to relations with ASEAN and supportsthe bloc’s central role in the regional architecture. The US also highly evaluated Vietnam’s role as ASEAN Chair 2020 in coordinating and leading ASEAN toovercome difficulties and challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The two sides agreed to further deepen the bilateral strategic partnership andcooperation in the coming time, as well as implementing effectively currentcooperation programmes and initiatives such as ASEAN-US Trade and InvestmentFramework, ASEAN-US Connect Initiative, ASEAN-US Smart Cities Partnership, and YoungSoutheast Asian Leaders Initiative. ASEANagreed to strengthen coordination with the US to implement the ASEAN-US actionplan for 2016-2020 and soon adopt the bilateral cooperation action plan for2021-2025. Thetwo sides pledged to actively work together to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic,especially enhancing preparedness to cope with new waves of infections,supporting each other to minimise the impact of the disease, maintainingregional and global supply chains, and promoting sustainable recovery. The USannounced that it has provided about 87 million USD for ASEAN countries to cope with the pandemic, and affirmed its continued assistance to the regionalcountries to improve their capacity to respond to diseases, with the priority given to theimplementation of the ASEAN-US Health Futures Initiative, training health experts and building pandemic control mechanisms. ASEANwelcomed the US’s timely financial assistance in curbing the pandemic and called on the US to actively support and contribute to ASEAN's initiatives on theCOVID-19 Response Fund and Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies. TheUS applauded ASEAN's efforts to promote its role in stepping up cooperation, dialogue and trust building in the region, as well as advocated the bloc's endeavours to implementfully and strictly the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea(DOC) and build an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in line withinternational law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law ofthe Sea (UNCLOS). DeputyMinister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung affirmed that amid the complicateddevelopments of COVID-19, ASEAN has upheld its “Cohesive andResponsive” spirit and promoted solidarity, unity and efforts to overcome difficulties andchallenges. TheVietnamese official highly appreciated the US's timely assistance to ASEANin coping with the epidemic right from the beginning of the outbreak. He proposed the US continue supporting ASEAN to improve its capacity to cope with,reduce the impact of the disease, and promote sustainable economic recovery. ASEANwelcomed and was willing to create optimal conditions for US businesses andinvestors to operate in the region, Dung affirmed. He applauded the US proposal on building the Mekong-US Partnership, supporting the promotionand harmonisation of subregional development efforts, including the Mekong subregion in the overall development of ASEAN. TheDeputy Minister shared the views of other countries that in the currentcontext, countries need to promote dialogues, build trust and hold responsiblefor building the East Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation. Hereiterated ASEAN's stance at the 36th ASEAN Summit on ensuringpeace, security, stability, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation inthe East Sea. The related parties should refrain from taking actions that complicate the situation and not carry out militarisation activities, Dung said. Anydisputes should be resolved via peaceful measures in accordance withinternational law, including the 1982 UNCLOS, while continuing to implement fullyand effectively the DOC and soon resuming negotiations to complete an effectiveCOC, contributing to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the EastSea, he added. The official also announced plans to hold ministerial meetings and summits between ASEAN and the US as part of Vietnam's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. Founded in 1967, the Associationof Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) groups 10 member countries, namely Brunei,Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,Thailand and Vietnam./.