AMM-53 reflects ASEAN’s responsiveness and determination

• ASEAN to further promote human rights and women's role
• 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting opened in Hanoi

According to Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, the AMM-53 reflects ASEAN’s responsiveness and determination that help Vietnam productively organise the video conferences amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Within the framework of AMM-53, the ASEAN foreign ministers, guests and partners attended 19 meetings, including AMM-53, Special Session of the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting on Sub-regional Development, the 10th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting Interface with ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Representatives, the ASEAN  Ministerial Dialogue on Strengthening Women’s Role for Sustainable Peace and Security, and the 27th ASEAN Regional Forum.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh chaired the international press conference held in Hanoi on September 12.

Up to 42 documents have been adopted, the biggest number of documents adopted in the history of ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, including the Joint Communique' of AMM-53 and the ARF Hanoi Plan of Action II (2020-2025).

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers continued affirm strong determination and commitment to fully and effectively implementing goals and priorities on the spirit of “Cohesive and Responsive” ASEAN 2020.

Along with the efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN countries agreed to support the people and businesses to overcome the consequences of the disease, step by step recover the economy and return their life to normal.

The ministers affirmed the determination to maintain Southeast Asia as a region of peace, security, neutrality and stability while strengthening ASEAN’s centrality, unity and resilience, and promoting trust building, mutual respect and the rule of law in line with the spirit of the Foreign Ministers' Statement on the occasion of marking the 53rd founding anniversary of ASEAN on August 8, 2020.

Participants affirmed that ASEAN and partners will continue promoting effective cooperation in responding to emerging challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and promoting comprehensive recovery. ASEAN agreed to grant the status of development partnership to France and Italy, while admitting Columbia and Cuba in the ASEAN’s Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (TAC).

The ministers reiterated ASEAN's principled position and emphasised the importance and benefits of peace, security, stability and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, which is the common benefits of all countries and supported by ASEAN partners.

They affirmed the parties need to promote dialogue; build trust; and refrain from the acts that further complicate the situation; and avoid militarization, use or threat to use force; settle disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

They expressed the hope the DOC will be fully and effectively implemented and urged parties to soon finalise an effective and efficient COC in accordance with international law.

Speaking at the press conference, ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi spoke highly of Vietnam’s comprehensive and professional preparations and outcomes of AMM 53, with the biggest number of documents adopted within the framework of ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings so far.

“Digital meetings, video conferences do not stop us create an environment to produce one of the most productive meetings of ASEAN foreign ministers,” he said, adding that this is the testament that we able to do this without no face-to-face meeting.