ASEAN Leaders Emphasize Unity and Strategic Value at 43rd ASEAN Summit
| ASEAN leaders at the retreat session held on Tuesday in Jakarta as part of the ongoing 43rd ASEAN Summit. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang |
Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, together with ASEAN leaders, attended the retreat session in Jakarta on Tuesday as part of the 43rd ASEAN Summit. During the session, they exchanged views on international and regional issues.
Recognizing the profound changes in the global and regional situation, the leaders of ASEAN countries emphasized the strategic value of unity in overcoming challenges, remaining resilient against strategic frictions and geopolitical competition, and affirming ASEAN’s central role in the regional structure.
The leaders emphasized that unity is the foundation for strengthening ASEAN’s role in guiding and leading efforts for peace, stability, and development in the region.
In his speech at the session, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính shared the concerns of the countries regarding the complex and multidimensional developments in the current international environment. He highlighted the intense strategic competition among major powers, which has forced countries to face extremely difficult strategic choices.
Amidst this fierce competition, PM Chính emphasized that for ASEAN to maintain its central role, it must exert its own strength, consolidate internal unity, and assert its strategic value.
PM Chính stated that ASEAN countries need to uphold the spirit of independence, self-reliance, respect for the rule of law, and adherence to the basic principles and norms of ASEAN.
He also emphasized the importance for ASEAN to maintain a strategic balance with major countries, becoming a “trustworthy, reliable bridge” that regulates and balances relationships and interests. ASEAN must firmly pursue the goal of building an open, transparent, inclusive, and, most importantly, unified regional structure while maintaining its principled position on issues directly related to the security and development environment of the region.
Regarding international and regional issues, PM Chính highlighted the need for ASEAN to make efforts to enhance unity and maintain and strengthen a common position with regard to the South China Sea, known as the East Sea in Vietnam. He emphasized that this is both the interest and common responsibility of all member countries.
ASEAN should request that partners respect this position when operating in the South China Sea, especially principles such as self-restraint, peaceful resolution of disputes, respect for international law, and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Additionally, ASEAN should persistently and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and work towards building a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) that is consistent with international law and UNCLOS 1982.
Turning to the situation in Myanmar, PM Chính acknowledged the positive signals received from all parties in Myanmar regarding ASEAN’s recent efforts, along with those of member countries.
He expressed support for further proactive engagement to encourage peaceful dialogue, build trust, enhance common understanding, and work towards comprehensive and sustainable solutions to the issue of Myanmar. PM Chính also expressed support for Indonesia as the Chair of ASEAN and the Special Envoy of the Chair on Myanmar in leading ASEAN’s efforts based on the ASEAN Leaders’ Five-Point Consensus.
The Vietnamese Government leader affirmed that Việt Nam would closely coordinate with Laos, the ASEAN Chair in 2024, to continue promoting ASEAN’s cooperation goals.
At the Summit, PM Chính, along with the leaders of ASEAN countries, agreed to support the Philippines in assuming the role of ASEAN Chair in 2026.