VN calls for increased cooperation for regional prosperity
VGP - At the opening ceremony of the Asian-African Conference on April 22 in Jakarta, President Truong Tan Sang delivered a speech underlining the need to protect the Bandung principles and step up stronger cooperation for regional and global peace and prosperity.
April 23, 2015 8:47 AM GMT+7
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In his speech at the first plenary session following the opening ceremony, President Sang highlighted the 1995 Bandung Conference as a great source of inspiration for Asian and African people to stand firm to win national independence and develop their nations in all aspects, thus raising the international position and role of the two continents- Asia and Africa.
President Sang also shared difficulties and challenges many Asian-African countries are facing, especially terrorism, armed conflicts, instability, territorial disputes, threats to use force, poverty, diseases, climate change, energy and food security, water management and the inequality of the economic and finance system and global trade.
“As one of the 29 participating countries at the Bandung Conference in 1955, Viet Nam strongly supports the conference’s theme “Strengthening South-South Cooperation to Promote World Peace and Prosperity”, and calls on the two continents to bolster cooperation to ensure peace and security - a prerequisite for sustainable development.” Sang said.
He stressed the necessity to comply with the Ten Principles of Bandung, respect sovereignty and territorial integrity without aggression and threats to invade and use force and settle disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the United Nations Charter. In that spirit, President Sang highlighted Viet Nam's message "Strengthening the Asian-African connectivity for global peace and prosperity in accordance with international law."
Viet Nam will prioritize forging sustainable Asia-Africa connectivity based on common rules and standards, particularly economic links through the South-South cooperation initiatives on trade, investment, agriculture, telecommunications, labourhealth, education at the regional, sub-regional and bilateral cooperation levels.
The two continents also need to push up maritime and aviation connectivity to guarantee a security and safe environment for the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
The Vietnamese leader also urged the two continents to reinforce solidarity and coordination at international forums to promote the interests of developing countries in the process of reforming political economic and financial institutions to deal with global issues, work out the post-2015 development agenda and measures for adaption to climate change under the framework of the WTO negotiations.
President Sang reiterated that the Bandung principles are in line with Viet Nam’s foreign policy for peace, cooperation and development in which the nation always gives high priority to boosting the traditional friendship, solidarity and cooperation with Asian-African countries.
He gave thanks to friendly countries, Asian and African nations for their valuable material and spiritual support for Vietnam in the past struggles for national independence and the current nation-building process.
Viet Nam consistently pursues peaceful settlement of disputes with respect to international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), properly and fully complies withthe Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and accelerate the finalization of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), the President said.
The country has been participating in global policy making mechanisms in a proactive and responsible manner, Sang said, noting that it is engaging in UN peacekeeping activities in South Sudan and the Central African Republic.
Viet Nam is joining hands with ASEAN countries to finalize the building of an ASEAN Community by the end of this year with the three major pillars- politics-security, economics and culture-society towards developing Southeast Asia into the area of peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity thus opening up opportunities for cooperation between the two regions as well as in the world, Sang said.
On the sidelines of the conference, President Sang also received the Vice President of Venezuela JorgeArreaza, the Vice President of Angola ManuelDomingos Vicente, and Foreign Minister of TunisiaTaieb Baccouche.- VOV
