(VOVworld) - Second Secretary of the Vietnamese Embassy in Argentina Le Thanh Xuan underscored Vietnam’s contributions to the establishment of the ASEAN Community, calling the event an historic milestone in regional connectivity towards a greater level of development.

Professor Ezequiel Ramoneda, from Mar del Plata University and the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, presented the idea of expanding Argentina-ASEAN cooperation. (Photo: VNA)

During a meeting to review ASEAN’s activities in 2015, Xuan said Vietnam has done its best with other member states to turn the East Sea into an area of peace, stability, and cooperation for mutual development.

Ambassadors of other countries described their country’s contributions to regional peace and development and insisted that today ASEAN is not only a dynamic area with opportunities and prospects, but a region which is fully integrating into the global economy.

Maria Carmela Cabreira, Chargé d’Affairs of the Philippines, said peace and security in Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia are closely linked with peace and security in the East Sea.

She expressed concern over recent developments in the region like massive land reclamation and construction on islands, which has exacerbated tensions, eroded trust, and posed the risk of militarization and conflict.