Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son participates in the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Participating countries welcomed ASEAN and the EU officially upgrading their relations to a strategic partnership, affirming their strong commitment to promoting cooperation on the basis of sharing common values, principles and interests, upholding multilateral cooperation and promoting a rules-based international order, thus making positive contributions to peace, stability and prosperity. ASEAN agreed with the EU's proposal to hold the 45th ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit in Brussels, Belgium in 2022.

In his remarks, Son emphasised the importance of the ASEAN-EU strategic partnership, which, he said, has significantly contributed to efforts to promote multilateral cooperation and regional connectivity.

He suggested the EU help ASEAN access COVID-19 vaccines in a timely fashion, consider transferring vaccine production technology to the grouping, and assist ASEAN to improve its vaccine self-sufficiency.

He also proposed the EU take into account the building of a free trade agreement with ASEAN on the basis of FTAs between the EU and some ASEAN member countries, including Vietnam.

The 1982 UNCLOS serves as a legal foundation governing all activities at seas and oceans, Son said, stressing that rights and legitimate interests of coastal countries defined in the document must be respected.