PM grants interviews on ASEAN-India relations, East Sea issue
VGP – PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc granted interviews to India's major press agencies including the Economics Times and the Times of India on the occasion of his visit to India to attend the ASEAN-India Commemorative Summit and the 69th anniversary of the Republic Day in India from January 24-26.
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PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc |
Leaders of ASEAN and India have to hold responsible for upgrading the relations to a higher level, he said, proposing the two sides realize these four contents:
Firstly, trade and investment cooperation are regarded as key force and priority in ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership. Trade agreements need to be realized effectively to uphold potentials and advantages of both sides.
Secondly, enhancement of connections is strategic priority. Projects on construction of India-Thailand-Myanmar highway, agreements on maritime and aeronautical transport, US$1 billion credit on digital and infrastructure connections are meaningful to facilitate trade and investment activities.
Thirdly, it is necessary to enhance comprehensive cooperation with India based on peace, stability and spirit of respecting law in the region and the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean in the context of geopolitical tension, extreme religions, terrorism, climate change and cyber security.
Fourthly, India should enhance cooperation with ASEAN in fields of renovation and connection with industries, joining the global chain value to create a favorable environment for development in the fourth industrial revolution.
Viet Nam has made efforts to coordinating with other nations in ASEAN to realize the ASEAN Vision 2025 and connect with India’s Look East Policy, said the PM.
Regarding the development of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc asserted that ensuring maritime and aeronautical peace, stability, security, safety and freedom in the oceans in general and in the region in particular are all nations’ goals and tasks.
To achieve the goals, all nations must respect international regulations, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 and other related procedures.
The establishment of COC is legally binding which contributes to regional peace and stability in general and the East Sea in particular.
In 2017, the COC process made progress, including ASEAN and China adopting the draft framework of the COC and announcing the start of negotiations of the COC.
All sides need to maintain these active moves during the negotiation process and activities on seas, especially fully realize commitments listed in the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and other related measures to step up trust.
By Thuy Dung
