Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attends the 22nd ASEAN Summit in Brunei- Photo:TTXVN

(VOVworld)- Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has emphasized the importance of speeding up the building of an ASEAN community by 2015 as the grouping’s joint priority. He told the 22nd ASEAN Summit in Brunei on Thursday that the ASEAN needs to strengthen unity and promote its active role in ensuring peace, security and development. Regarding the East Sea issue, the Prime Minister said the ASEAN should foster unity and a common voice for peace, stability and maritime security. He called for efficient implementation of existing commitments, including the ASEAN’s declaration Six-point Principle on the East Sea and the ASEAN-China Joint Statement on the 10th anniversary of the Declaration of Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC) for settlement of dispute by peaceful means while building trust for an early signing of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. He said Vietnam seconds Thailand’s active role in coordinating the ASEAN – China dialogue and both sides should strengthen exchanges for an early building of the COC.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung left Brunei on Thursday after the conclusion of the 22nd ASEAN Summit. Earlier on Wednesday, he met with leaders from Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore. During his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, both agreed to boost the defining of a strategic partnership for commendation. They agreed that the ASEAN need to focus on the roadmap towards a joint community by 2015. Dung said Vietnam is willing to support Thailand in its coordination of ASEAN China relationship and promotion of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea. In a meeting between Vietnamese and Singaporean Prime Ministers, both shared the view to maintain peace, stability and maritime safety and freedom in the East Sea while resolving conflicts by peaceful means in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration of Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea and calling for an early signing of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea. In his meeting with Filipino President, the Prime Minister requested an early release of 24 Vietnamese fishermen. President Benigno Aquino III acknowledged and pledged an early settlement of the issue.