ASEAN, US seek to collaborate for regional peace

Attending the ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue was Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, heads of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting and the U.S.'s principal deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Atul Keshap.

The two sides said they would work together to maintain peace, security and stability in the region, including maritime safety and security in the South China Sea, which Vietnam calls the East Sea.

ASEAN said it highly regarded the U.S.'s role in ensuring peace and stability in the region, as well as the $112 million aid it has provided ASEAN member countries to combat Covid-19.

The U.S. hailed ASEAN's role in facilitating collaboration, dialogue and trust in the region, ensuring compliance with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and building an effective Code of Conduct for the South China Sea in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea.

Dung said on behalf of ASEAN that nations need to enhance dialogue, collaboration, trust and respect for the law to ensure a peaceful, stable environment that is conducive for development, especially amid rising challenges related to diseases, climate change and competition for resources.

He also called on the two sides to enhance collaboration to ensure peace, security and development in the region through frameworks hosted by ASEAN while promoting regional order through regulations, respect for international law and peaceful resolution of conflicts.