Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet, head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, attended the Senior Officials' Meetings of ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Vientiane, Laos, on June 7-8.

The meetings reviewed cooperation, agreed on future development directions, and prepared for the ASEAN+3, EAS, and ARF Foreign Ministers' Meetings, as well as the ASEAN+3 and EAS Summits in Laos in July and October.

Participating countries emphasized promoting practical and mutually beneficial cooperation, supporting ASEAN in building a peaceful, secure, stable, and developing community. Partners committed to supporting ASEAN's centrality in regional architecture and addressing common challenges, shaping an open, inclusive, transparent region in line with international law.

Concerns were shared over risks to regional peace, security, and stability, especially escalating tensions in the East Sea and Korean Peninsula, as well as emerging non-traditional challenges. They affirmed support for ASEAN's stance on the East Sea and efforts to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and achieve an effective Code of Conduct (COC) in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

Addressing the meetings, Viet suggested prioritizing the roles of ASEAN+3, EAS, and ARF frameworks with ASEAN at the center. He called for consultation, dialogue, cooperation, and trust-building, urging powers to contribute to easing tensions and solving problems.

Vietnam aims to work with other countries to build the East Sea into waters of peace, stability, cooperation, and development. Viet held bilateral meetings with representatives from China, the US, India, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the Republic of Korea to discuss coordination within ASEAN-led mechanisms and bilateral cooperation.