(VOVworld) – A number of ASEAN Senior Official Meetings (SOM) took place in Myanmar last weekend. The meetings were in preparation for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings, scheduled for early August in Myanmar.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh. Representatives of ASEAN members and partner countries discussed cooperation orientations within ASEAN, ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit, Southeast Asia’s cooperation structure, and other regional and global issues. Delegates expressed their grave concern about escalating tension in the East Sea and called for compliance with international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) toward adopting the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh said that China’s illegal placement of oil rig Haiyang 981 and deployment of escort ships in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone violated international law and the 1982 UNCLOS. He said that Vietnam resolutely rejects provocative acts and any activity that harms Vietnamese marine police, fisheries resources surveillance, and fishing vessels. Vietnam demands that China withdraw its oil rig and all escort ships from Vietnamese waters. The Vietnamese diplomat said that Vietnam respects its friendship and cooperation with China but will resolutely defend its national maritime sovereignty with peaceful measures and in accordance with international law. He called on the international community to continue protesting China’s incursion and demanding it abide by international law.

With regard to ASEAN cooperation, Vinh said the focus is on building an ASEAN Community by 2015 and enhancing ASEAN’s role in issues related to regional peace, stability, and development cooperation.

Concerning ASEAN +3 and the East Asia Summit (EAS), Vinh shared common evaluations of cooperation results between ASEAN and its partners, particularly in boosting regional connectivity and dealing with challenges such as natural disasters, climate change, food and energy insecurity, and threats to freedom of navigation. Vietnam will host the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) at the end of August. Topics for discussion will include ways to foster regional cooperation to ensure maritime security and safety and other areas of maritime cooperation. Vinh said it is necessary to increase the role of the East Asia Summit as an important component of the regional structure with ASEAN playing the central role, helping to ensure peace, cooperation, and development in the region.