Manila (VNA) – Defence officials from member countries of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) discussed outstanding regional security issues at the first debate of the ASEAN Security Policy Conference (ASPC) that opened in Manila, the Philippines, on June 29.
The Vietnamese delegation to the event is led by Sen. Lieut. Gen. Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army.
Presenting Vietnam’s views, Minh said the overall regional situation remains peaceful and stable, but there have been rapid, complex developments along with potential threats. He cited as example the situation in Northeast Asia, natural disaster, piracy, terrorism and disputes in the East (South China) Sea.
The Vietnamese head delegate said the East Sea issue is a complicated matter that caused grave concern for ASEAN and the international community.
He reiterated Vietnam’s stance that the East Sea disputes should be addressed by peaceful measures on the basis of international law and respect for diplomatic and legal processes, along with the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and efforts to soon reach a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).
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