(VOVworld)- The 46^th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-46) has adopted a joint communiqué, reiterating the bloc’s determination to build an ASEAN community by 2015 and stressing the importance of regional peace, stability, and maritime security. Responding to reporters following the AMM-46 and other related meetings, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh announced AMM-46 to be a success. It reflected ASEAN member’s consensus to exert their efforts to reach an ASEAN community by 2015 in all 3 pillars - Politics-Security, Economics, and Society-Culture. Minh said another highlight of the meeting was that all ASEAN countries were unanimous about resolving sensitive issues which may influence the bloc’s central role. Regarding East Sea issues, member states agreed to settle disputes peacefully without using force and with respect for the ASEAN 6-Point Principles and other international laws including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh (right) and the bloc's foreign ministers. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

Minh was quoted as saying that peace and maritime security in the East Sea is important to countries not only in the region but around the globe. ASEAN and China agreed to continue their dialogues and consultations to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards an early adoption of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). These goals will be touched upon by senior ASEAN and Chinese leaders in a meeting scheduled for September.