Vietnam underlines strengthening connectivity in Indian Ocean
Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet joined with 300 senior officials, researchers, and scholars from more than 30 countries worldwide to attend the sixth Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which took place from May 12 to May 13.
As part of his address at the plenary session, the Vietnamese official shared his assessment of the situation in the Indian Ocean and Asia-Pacific regions, especially major challenges facing the region due to the impact of conflicts, disputes, and strategic competition among major powers, as well as non-traditional security issues.
He conveyed a three-point message for a peaceful, prosperous, and solid future of the region, underscoring the necessity of building an open and inclusive regional architecture based on fundamental principles of international law with ASEAN playing the central role. This is along with strengthening mutual understanding and respect, building trust and conducting an independent and self-reliant foreign policy amid competition among major powers; as well as promoting ties, especially maritime co-operation, through bilateral and multilateral mechanism and a comprehensive approach.
The Vietnamese representative also stressed the importance of respecting and complying with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS); and the necessity of respecting the sovereignty, sovereign rights, jurisdiction, and legitimate maritime interests of each country in accordance with international law. This is in addition to resolving disputes and differences through peaceful measures in line with international law.
The Vietnamese diplomat therefore applauded ASEAN’s efforts in implementing the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and building a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.
He proposed boosting co-operation and connectivity among countries in the Indo-Pacific region, especially with ASEAN member countries, thereby promoting sustainable development and turning the blue-sea economy into a motivation for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, along with addressing non-traditional challenges.
In the framework of the conference Deputy FM Viet held bilateral meetings with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Tharaka Balasuriya, Australian Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Tim Watts, and Secretary (East) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Saurabh Kumar.
During their meeting, FM Viet and Minister Balasuriya affirmed that Vietnam and Sri Lanka will continue to co-ordinate and support each other at international forums, agreeing to soon organise meetings of important bilateral co-operation mechanisms; step up links on Buddhism and spiritual tourism; consider the opening of air routes connecting the two countries; and seeking solutions to expand two-way trade and investment in the time ahead.
Meeting with Minister Viet, Assistant Minister Watts affirmed that ties with Vietnam remain Australia's priority in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. In response, the Vietnamese official suggested the two countries fully tap into the growth momentum of bilateral trade; facilitate links in agriculture, labour and tourism; and expand co-operation to new areas of mutual benefit such as climate change response, digital economy, and energy transition.
During his meeting with the Indian official, Deputy FM Viet affirmed the unwavering Vietnamese policy of attaching importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with India. He suggested that the two sides strengthen the exchange of high-ranking delegations, bolster links in trade, investment, tourism, culture, people-to-people exchanges, and security - defence; as well as working closely to co-ordinate at multilateral forums.
Minister Kumar said India will continue to further expand co-operation with Vietnam, especially in trade, oil and gas, and defence, and at international forums.
Running with the theme of “Peace, Prosperity & Partnership for a Resilient Future”, the sixth IOC discussed issues related to politics, economy, security, environment, and climate change, contributing to creating a premise for countries in and outside the region to promote co-operation, towards building an environment of peace, development, and prosperity.
