Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh has affirmed Vietnam’s resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial waters in a speech delivered at the 27th ASEAN-US Dialogue in Myanmar on June 10.

The dialogue discussed regional issues of mutual concern, reviewed ASEAN-US cooperation, and prepared for the ASEAN-US Ministerial Meeting slated for August and the second ASEAN-US Summit scheduled to take place later this year.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister and Head of ASEAN-Vietnam Senior Official Meeting (SOM) delegation Pham Quang Vinh.

Regarding regional and international issues, delegates shared ideas about the complicated situation in the East Sea.

The US affirmed its support for ASEAN's stance as shown in the Declaration of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers on May 10 which expressed deep concern about the escalating tensions that have directly imperilled regional peace, stability, security and maritime safety in the region.

The US opposes unilateral actions and the use of force to change the status quo and impose territorial claims. Accordingly, it strongly supports the principle of settling disputes by peaceful means, exercising restraint, not threatening or using force in 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).

ASEAN and China should have substantial negotiations to achieve a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), Vinh said.

Deputy FM Vinh commended the results obtained in the ASEAN-US partnership, US support for ASEAN Community building and the bloc’s strengthened connectivity and central role in the region striving for peace, security and development cooperation.

Concerning the East Sea issue, Vinh stated that China’s illegal deployment of its giant oil rig and escort ships in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf as well as its deliberate acts of ramming and damaging Vietnamese coast guard ships and fishing vessels are a serious violations of international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the DOC.

Vietnam most vehemently condemns the above mentioned acts of infringement, demanding China immediately withdraw the oil rig and escort ships from Vietnam’s waters. The country is resolved to defend its sovereignty and waters and persists with dialogues peaceful means in accordance with international law.

In terms of ASEAN-US cooperation, both sides spoke highly of their partnership which continues to grow steadily in many areas of politics, security, economics, culture and social affairs.

The US pledged to further promote relations and cooperation with ASEAN, considering this a priority in its policy in the region. The US voiced its support for ASEAN’s central role in shaping a regional architecture and in mechanisms by initiated by the regional grouping.

ASEAN encouraged the US to increase its support for ASEAN community building, enhancing economic relations, science-technology-education cooperation, and providing scholarships for ASEAN students.

ASEAN also asked the US to promote a coordinated response to epidemics, Mekong regional cooperation, energy security, disaster management, and climate change.

The two sides appreciated the positive results of cooperation in carrying out the ASEAN-US Plan of Action in 2011-2015 and the Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) Initiative, and boosting cooperation and connectivity with ASEAN through the ASEAN-US Connectivity Initiative, cross-cultural exchanges and biodiversity cooperation.

Last year’s total trade between ASEAN and the US reached over US$ 200 billion.

The US is ASEAN’s fourth largest trading partner with its FDI poured into ASEAN amounting to US$ 6.9 billion.

The US is the 3rd largest FDI into ASEAN, accounting for 6% of the total capital investment in the regional bloc.

Towards the future, ASEAN and the US stressed the importance of the strategic partnership in the ASEAN-US contribution to peace, stability, security and prosperity in the region. On the basis of the results achieved, ASEAN and the US will continue to expand and increase the efficiency of cooperation to bring their partnership to a higher level.

The US is committed to support ASEAN in building a united community, increasing connectivity, boosting human resource development, education and cross cultural exchange and solving common challenges such as energy security, management of water resources, biodiversity, climate change, disaster management, epidemics, and transnational crime ( human trafficking, cyber-crime and anti-piracy).

The two sides will also continue to step up cooperation in the framework of cooperation initiative between the US and the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) countries.