Date of publication: 07-05-2013
The development partnership between the United States and Southeast Asia was at the forefront of discussions in Washington last week on the 26th Asean-us dialogue.
Speakers at the event, which was attended by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh, praised the positive progress that has been made in the relations between the partners and reported that great progress has been made in the field of security, trade, investment, culture, education and science and technology.
The successes have the implementation of a series of programs, including the 2011-2015 Asean-US Plan of action and the Asean-Us trade and 2012 investment framework agreement (TIFA) followed.
The US is now the third largest investor in the Asean and the fourth largest trading partner of the block, with two-way trade turnover total more than US $ 198 billion.
The two sides underlined the strategic importance of their partnership in attempts to peace, security and prosperity in the Southeast Asian region and was an initial discussion held on upgrading the relationship to the level of a strategic partnership.
They discussed the goal of establishing an Asean Community in 2015, offers enhanced connectivity, human resources development and exchanges. Important work will also be undertaken to common challenges such as energy security, sustainable water management, biodiversity, climate change, natural disasters, epidemics and cross-border crime.
US President Barack Obama administration representatives stated that will continue to strengthen the ties with the Asia-Pacific in General and the Asean in particular if they consider the block a key pillar of the region.
They committed to providing US $ 16 million over five years to the Asean connectivity through trade and investment (ACTI) program, and US $ 13 million to the Asean-us partnership for good governance, Equitable and sustainable development and security program (PROGRESS).
During the meeting the two sides also underlined the need for the continued imposition of the stability in the East Sea and resolve all disputes by peaceful means based on respect for international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They argued that the block and China as soon as possible negotiations to fix up a East Sea Code of Conduct (COC) to consolidate trust and regional peace.
In his speech at the meeting, Deputy FM Vinh sounded his appreciation for further cooperation between the US and Asean and stresses that they should continue to work on the priority areas of economy, trade, investment, education, science and technology and connectivity.
Chinese calls
Also last week, the new Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta and held talks with the block Secretary-General Le Luong Minh.
During the meeting, the two exchanged views on a number of issues of mutual interest, including ways and means to further strengthen Asean-China strategic partnership.
ASEAN and China had vastly expanded their cooperation in the past 10 years, said Minh.
He recommended that both sides further strengthen cooperation on a number of areas, including maritime cooperation, the fight against cross-border crime, energy security and the implementation of the Asean-China free trade agreement (ACFTA).
Wang Yi for his part confirmed that the new leadership of China treasures its relationship with Asean and strongly supports the central role of the Asean in East Asian building and integration.
According to Wang, China will focus its efforts on supporting the implementation of the master plan on Asean connectivity and the regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP).
The two sides also exchanged views on the question of East-Sea and underlines the importance of a full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the conduct of parties (DOC) in the East Sea, towards the conclusion of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
They confirmed the importance of the preservation of peace and stability in the East Sea as well as in the region.
Wang Yi ended the meeting by his host to pay an official visit to China to join.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment