At the event, participants spoke highly of the ASEAN-US strategic partnership, considering this an important factor in ensuring peace, stability and development in the region. They also welcomed the establishment of the Mekong-US Partnership.
The United States has become ASEAN's strategic partner for decades, becoming the bloc's third largest trade partner and fourth biggest investor. The US has actively participated in the forums established and led by ASEAN and supported ASEAN in effectively maintaining its central role and promoting dialogue and cooperation in the region, they noted.
ASEAN countries appreciated the coordination and assistance that the United States has provided for the region over the years, especially the timely and effective US support to ASEAN through the ASEAN-US Health Futures Initiative and the ASEAN-US Network of Health Professionals. The US has helped ASEAN improve preventive medicine capacity and disease control in the region, with the establishment of a regional office of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Vietnam. ASEAN countries asked the US to share its research results to facilitate the widespread access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Addressing the meeting, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh spoke highly of the US's concrete efforts to carry out the ASEAN-US Health Futures initiative to enhance regional capacity in responding to emergency health situations.
He applauded the US opening of a regional CDC office in Vietnam, while looking forward to signing the Agreement on ASEAN-USAID Regional Development Cooperation.
Deputy PM Minh welcomed the US’ provision of US$5 million for the establishment of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Institute based at the Fulbright University Vietnam.
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Deputy PM and FM Pham Binh Minh speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VGP)
Regarding the regional and international situation, the Vietnamese Deputy PM reiterated ASEAN's principled position and suggested the parties strengthen mutual trust, uphold the rule of law, refrain from the acts that further complicate the situation and from militarisation, and settle disputes through peaceful measures.
The parties should continue to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea/ South China Sea (DOC) and soon finalise an effective and efficient Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), contributing to maintaining peace, security and stability in the East Sea and in the region, he noted.
