(VOVworld) – Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on Thursday attended the Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM) on the sidelines of the 68^th UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting was held in preparation for the 23^rd ASEAN Summit and related summits, scheduled for October 8^th and 9^th in Brunei. Minister Minh praised Brunei’s efforts as ASEAN Chair and stressed the grouping’s important achievements including strengthening its central role in regional security and development and cooperation in international forums, particularly within the framework of the United Nations.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh

Minister Minh the same day attended a meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the UN Secretary General and the President of the UN General Assembly. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to boost cooperation between ASEAN and the UN in implementing the Comprehensive Partnership agreement signed in 2011. Concerning the regional situation, Minister Minh said that concerned parties should exert greater efforts to boost peace, security, stability and maritime safety in the region in line with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He also called for implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards establishing a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).    

Minister Minh met with the Chinese Foreign Minister to discuss issues of mutual concern and held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Andorra, Bulgaria and Madagascar to discuss ways of fostering bilateral ties.

Minister Minh also hosted a reception with the attendance of leaders from delegations participating in the UN General Assembly session and diplomatic corps in New York.