ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat defines post-2015 vision
Xuan Son, VOV correspondent in Bangkok -
(VOVworld) – The ASEAN post-2015 vision was the focus of a 2-day ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM) Retreat that concluded Wednesday in Hua Hin, Thailand. The ministers agreed to step up the building of an ASEAN Community while beginning dialogues and outlining a roadmap for making ASEAN stronger and promoting its role in global issues. They said bloc members must mobilize all resources for cooperation programs, such as the master plan on ASEAN connectivity (MPAC) and Work Plan II of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) to narrow the development gap.
 |
| ASEAN foreign ministers and Secretary-General Le Luong Minh at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM) Retreat. (Photo: VOV) |
To welcome the Special ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting that will mark the 10th anniversary of a bilateral strategic partnership, both sides will strengthen cooperation in 11 sectors of priorities, targeting 500 billion USD in trade by 2015. Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh elaborates: "The foreign ministers were unanimous about lifting the ASEAN-China strategic partnership to a new level, but still harbor several disagreements that need a peaceful settlement to ensure maritime security and safety in the East Sea".
The ASEAN foreign ministers stressed the need to step up negotiations and adopt the Code of Conduct in the East Sea as soon as possible.
Xuan Son, VOV correspondent in Bangkok