Vietnam PM asks ASEAN, partners to prioritize economic recovery, security solutions

Addressing the 17th East Asia Summit (EAS) Sunday, he asked EAS partners to prioritize economic recovery based on sustainable development, ensure a smooth supply chain, and urged countries to quickly open their markets.

The East Asia Summit, held in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, brings together leaders of ASEAN countries and East Asian partners China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, India, Russia and the U.S.

Chinh also asked EAS partners to support ASEAN’s efforts to develop sub-regions, including the Mekong sub-region, in order to narrow the development gap and promote equitable development.

He emphasized that ASEAN was ready to act as a “trusted intermediary” and work with EAS partners to find solutions to security challenges.

ASEAN will continue to work with EAS partners to “uphold multilateralism and compliance with international law in the spirit of transparency, respect for ASEAN’s central role and full consultation with the bloc,” he said.

PM Chinh also affirmed ASEAN’s principled stance on the East Sea, calling on the international community and EAS countries to support efforts to complete soon a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea that is reasonable for all concerned parties and in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

The East Sea is known internationally as the South China Sea.

After the summit, the gathered leaders attended a ceremony to pass on the ASEAN Chair position from Cambodia to Indonesia.

On Sunday afternoon, PM Chinh and his entourage left Phnom Penh to return to Hanoi, wrapping up their official visit to Cambodia and attending the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and related meetings from November 8.