ASEAN, RoK issue joint statement

PM Nguyen Tan Dung (2nd, R) attends the summit in Busan, the RoK on December 12. Photo: VGP

The statement figures out directions and specific measures to expand and deepen the bilateral relations in the future.

Leaders from ASEAN and the RoK shared their evaluation on development and achievements in the bilateral relations over the past 25 years, as well as contributions of the bloc and the RoK to regional peace, stability, cooperation and development.

ASEAN leaders spoke highly of the RoK’s support and cooperation in building an ASEAN Community, enhancing connectivity, narrowing the development gap and responding to regional common challenges.

RoK President Park Geun-hye valued the relations over the past 25 years and the bloc’s role, saying that the bloc was of the country’s high priority and the country would continue to support the community construction, the realization of the bloc’s 2015 vision, the bloc’s central role in forming the regional structure and ASEAN’s common values and standard in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN and the RoK agreed to build an action plan for the 2016-2020 period; implement effectively cooperation in fields of priority and mutual benefit; take advantage of the ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Agreement; strive for a US$150 billion two-way trade value in 2015 and US$200 billion in 2020; try to conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)by the end of 2015; boost cooperation in culture, sports, people-to-people exchange; protect citizens; enhance education and development of human resources.

ASEAN applauded the RoK’s suggestion on establishing the ASEAN-RoK Cultural House and the selection of 2017 as the ASEAN-RoK Cultural Exchange Year.

Regarding regional security, both sides agreed to enhance maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom; non-barrier trade; practice of self-restraint, using no force or threatening use of force, resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law.

Both sides will continue to boost cooperation in responding to such non-traditional security challenges as diseases, environmental protection and natural disasters.

Speaking at the summit, PM Dung valued the ASEAN-RoK relations and stressed that both sides should enhance cooperation and support each other in ensuring peace, stability and security in the region through available cooperative mechanisms led by the bloc.

PM Dung also suggested the two sides strengthen economic ties through completing negotiations for the RCEP in 2015 as scheduled; boost connectivity in infrastructure, institution and human and foster response to emerging non-traditional security challenges.

Regarding regional issues, PM Dung affirmed that only trust can ensure regional peace, stability and security.

He stressed that recent complicated developments in the East Sea have proved the necessity of maintaining regional peace, stability and maritime security and all sides need to comply with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and develop a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC).

No use of force or threat of use of force and no action to intensify the situation in the East Sea is the way to build trust, contributing to ensuring regional peace, stability and security, PM Dung said.

After the summit, PM Dung and other leaders visited the ASEAN-RoK Public Administration Exhibition.

By Vien Nhu