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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (4th from left) and ASEAN leaders at the 33rd ASEAN Summit in Singapore on November 13, 2018. Photo: VGP
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He said solidarity and unity must be the core factor of the member countries’ thoughts and actions in order to build a strong, resilient and highly-connected ASEAN Community.
The Vietnamese Government chief voiced support for further strengthening cooperation and dialogues on trust building and for rule-based multilateral system.
The regional countries should also enhance cooperation in innovation and creativity to take advantage of the opportunities of the 4th industrial revolution in order to bring about practical benefits to people across the region, PM Phuc said.
He called for establishment of ASEAN Technology University and an early warning system for natural disasters in the region.
Regarding regional and international situation, PM Phuc said recent developments in the East Sea have caused concerns among countries in the region. Especially unilateral actions could lead to wrong calculation and high collision risks.
PM Phuc reiterated the ASEAN’s agreed principles of upholding international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in peaceful settlement of disputes, exercising self-restraint, avoiding use or threat of force, not complicating the situation.
He called for boosting trust building, effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and active formation of a effective and practical Code of Conduct.
The PM also said he advocates ASEAN to play an active role in supporting Myanmar to address humanitarian issue in Rakhine state as well as efforts to beef up peace, stability and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.
At the Summit, ASEAN leaders highly valued Singapore as the successful Chair of ASEAN in 2018, pledging to coordinate closely with Thailand-the next ASEAN Chair./.
By Thuy Dung
