The Hanoitimes - The foreign ministers called for the full and serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). All foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed that the South China Sea continue to be a challenging issue and posing threats to regional peace and security. Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh at the AMM on November 10. Photo: Hai Minh Unilateral activities, including militarization, unsubstantiated sovereignty claims, and continuous coercion have harmed the stability in the resources-rich sea, top diplomats of the 10-member bloc’s member states expressed concerns at the online ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) held on November 10. Given this, the countries reiterated ASEAN’s stance and principles of peace and stability in the South China Sea and emphasized the role of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS). They called for the full and serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and looked forward to the building of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in line with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS. For that reason, solidarity is the key factor to ensure peace, stability, independence and self-reliance amidst global uncertainties, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said at the meeting. Vietnam is committed to closely coordinating with other ASEAN countries and China to fully and effectively implement the DOC and soon reach a result-oriented COC in line with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS, he pledged. Pandemic response The online ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) held on November 10. Photo: Hai Minh The top diplomats discussed ways to maintain economic …
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