MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday (July 3) the successful and fruitful visit of Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario to Hanoi, Vietnam on July 2 where he and his Vietnamese counterpart discussed the urgent need to address peacefully the escalating challenges and tension in the South China Sea.
Del Rosario expressed his appreciation to the Government of Vietnam for its warm hospitality.
In his meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, the two foreign ministers’ discussions were described in a DFA release as ” comprehensive, constructive and productive, and covered bilateral cooperative projects, international and regional concerns, and people-to-people ties.”
In particular, the Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the rising tension in the South China Sea, and discussed the urgent need to address the escalating challenges through peaceful means and in accordance with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The two Foreign Ministers urged that the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) be implemented in its entirety, including refraining from the use of coercive force. The two Ministers also agreed that the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) be expeditiously concluded without undue delay. In this regard, the two Ministers reaffirmed the ASEAN Joint Statement on the Developments in the South China Sea issued on the 10th of May 2014 and the ASEAN Six Point Principles on the South China Sea.
On a bilateral basis, the two Ministers discussed a wide range of issues and agreed to further promote cooperation in many areas such as fisheries, ocean and maritime, defense and security, trade and investment. The Foreign Ministers also agreed to advance partnership to a higher level, including the establishment of a Joint Commission headed by the two Ministers to formulate a road map in working towards a strategic partnership.
Del Rosario went to Hanoi to follow up on the successful visit to the Philippines of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in May 2014.
He and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh reaffirmed the invaluable friendship between their countries and the importance of their partnership in ASEAN.
The two sides likewise reaffirmed their common commitment to promote the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
