Mon. Jan 6th, 2025

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh led the Vietnamese delegation to
the fourth ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF-4) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
from October 1-2.

Addressing the opening ceremony,
Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said ASEAN needs to
strengthen maritime cooperation for regional prosperity and stability.

It is urgent to seek measures for maritime security-related issues as
trade activities between South and Southeast Asian economies greatly
depend on sea routes on the Malacca Strait and the East Sea ,
he said.

The Malaysian Deputy FM called for ASEAN
members’ cooperation to prevent and manage any possible crisis which may
cause losses for the regional economy.

He also
stressed the importance of maritime security and freedom, law
enforcement, constructive dialogues and the peaceful resolution of
sovereignty disputes in the East Sea in accordance with
international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS).

Delegates at the forum, including ASEAN
senior officials and maritime experts, discussed measures to build
trust, ensure an environment of peace, stability and maritime security
and safety in the region as well as how to cooperate at sea more
effectively.

On the sidelines of the forum, Deputy FM
Pham Quang Vinh told reporters that Vietnam participates in the
event with the aim of promoting marine cooperation as well as
contributing to regional peace and stability.

At the
forum, Vietnam and other ASEAN members as well as other countries
stressed the importance of abiding by international law, especially the
UNCLOS and measures to maintain an environment of peace, stability and
maritime security and safety in the region, considering them essential
conditions for further enhancing cooperation at sea, he said.

Following the AMF-4, the second Expanded AMF with the attendance of
eight dialogue partners, namely the US, Japan, China, Russia, India, the
Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand, will be held in Kuala
Lumpur on October 3.-VNA

By vivian