ASEAN Summit to debate on East Sea

Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Le Hai Binh

HA NOI — Negotiations for a code of conduct of parties in the East Sea (COC) will be discussed at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Le Hai Binh said yesterday.

The event will also appraise the impacts of the financial crisis, the sluggish recovery of regional economies, disaster management and climate change along with regional maritime and aviation security and safety issues, he added.

The 26th ASEAN Summit, to be held in Malaysia from April 26-27, will focus on issues such as the ASEAN Community and its post-2015 vision as well as the bloc's centrality.

Founded in August 1967, ASEAN consists of 10 countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam.

Binh also commented on Viet Nam's stand in the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiation with the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) and the role of Cuba in the approaching Summit of the Americas.

He said the signing and implementation of a FTA would be a great and important step, lifting the time-honoured relationship between Viet Nam and EEU members to a new height.

Binh told the media that Viet Nam and the EEU issued a joint statement on the conclusion of negotiations on the agreement in December last year and are looking to sign the document within the first half of this year.

Commenting on Cuba's role in the Summit of the Americas, which will be held in Panama City, Panama, on April 10-11, Binh said Viet Nam believed Cuba would exert efforts to contribute to peace, stability, co-operation, and development on the continent.