Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN’s solidarity and internal strength as he addressed the 41st ASEAN Summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, which discussed ASEAN external relations, the regional structure and international issues. The Prime Minister suggested further joint efforts with partners to contribute to peace, security and development, consolidating intra-regional strategic cohesion so that partners truly respect and support ASEAN centrality and commit to long-term cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms.

PM Chinh emphasized that ASEAN needs will power, ingenuity, harmony and balance in dealing with hot issues in the region. Together with the leaders of ASEAN countries, he stressed the need to strengthen ASEAN’s principled stance on the East Sea and proposed strengthened cooperation in marine environment conservation, humanitarian assistance for fishermen and seafarers, and dealing with illegal fishing.

The Prime Minister added ASEAN should continue to be steadfast and persistent in implementing the ASEAN Consensus on Myanmar, and assist Myanmar in finding feasible and sustainable solutions to overcome difficulties.

Sharing common concerns about the Russia-Ukraine conflict, PM Chinh upheld the meaning and value of peace, saying respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity is the fundamental principle of international relations and a prerequisite for creating international peace and security.

Attending the earlier plenary session of the 40th ASEAN Summit on building the ASEAN Community, Prime Minister Chinh proposed that the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025 respect all social groups, promote inclusive growth and ensure equitable benefit by all, harmonize equitable development and sustainable growth and policies to promote hard and soft infrastructure in sub-regions, with ASEAN’s common process to create synergies and development momentum for the entire region.

At the end of the meeting, the leaders adopted the ASEAN leaders’ vision statement on Addressing Challenges Together, ASEAN leaders’ statement on the 55th anniversary of ASEAN, and ASEAN leaders’ statement on ASEAN connectivity post-2025 agenda.

Source: VOV5