Participants at the 3rd ASEAN Maritime Forum in Manila (Photo: Internet)

(VNA/VOVworld) – The 3^rd ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF-3) opened yesterday in Manila, Philippines, focusing on ways to boost cooperation to strengthen regional maritime security. Erlinda Basilio, Under Secretary for Policy at the Filipino Department of Foreign Affairs said that AMF-3 aims to step up cooperation within the ASEAN Political-Security Community framework. ASEAN senior officials and maritime experts will discuss navigation freedom, piracy, marine environment protection, eco-tourism, and fishing operations in East Asia. ASEAN dialogue partners Japan, China, and the US will deliver their first talks at the ASEAN Maritime Forum on October 5.