Vietnamese Defense Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh at ADMM-7 in Brunei- Photo: VNA

(VOVworld)- Vietnamese Defense Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh has called on ASEAN to strengthen solidarity and cooperation for common prosperity, focusing on cooperation with China and the US, the world’s two biggest economic powers, which strongly influences regional security. Thanh addressed the 7th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Brunei’s capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday.  He noted that the situation in the East Sea is stable with exciting trade and business activity, although complications, instability and disputes constantly threaten. Thanh reaffirmed Vietnam’s stance in favor of resolving disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He called on relevant parties to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), the ASEAN’s Six-Point Principle in the East Sea , the ASEAN – China Joint Declaration on the occasion of the 10 th anniversary of the DOC signing in Cambodia , and promptly formulate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China. He proposed regional cooperation measures like increasing naval links, establishing a naval hotline, holding joint patrols at sea, and organising exchanges among ASEAN forces stationed on the islands of the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, the first one being between Vietnam and the Philippines.The Vietnamese minister also proposed an agreement to refrain from the use of force during marine sovereignty disputes, such as between ASEAN countries that have deployed forces in the Truong Sa archipelago. This, he said, will serve as a basis for other high-level agreements promoting peace and stability and lessening tensions and confrontation in the region. The minister said he appreciated Thailand’s role as a coordinator in ASEAN – China relations, including the building of the COC. Thanh’s speech was well perceived by the participants. The Singapore Defense Minister called it impressive, frank, and constructive with specific initiatives for regional peace and stability. On the sidelines of the event, Thanh held a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart.