In the afternoon of March 13, ASEAN Foreign Ministers had a special meeting in online format on the Middle East situation. Politburo member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung attended the conference.
The Ministers shared their assessment that the conflict in the Middle East has been and is causing widespread impacts on the world economy, especially destabilizing the energy market and disrupting key sea routes and supply chains, negatively affecting regional economic prospects and community building efforts.
Regarding citizen protection, the Ministers agreed that ASEAN will continue to coordinate, cooperate closely and be ready to support each other's citizens in emergencies and crises in the Middle East, in accordance with agreed rules and procedures.
Speaking at the conference, Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung shared ASEAN's common position on the conflict situation in the Middle East, opposing the use of force, upholding the principle of respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, compliance with international law, the United Nations Charter, resolving differences by peaceful means, as well as the obligations of the parties to protect civilians and civil infrastructure.
Minister Le Hoai Trung also highly appreciated ASEAN's timely consultations, building a common position as well as holding emergency meetings to discuss coordination measures.
In the context of the conflict in the Middle East causing serious and widespread impacts on the region, Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized the spirit of solidarity and unity, requesting ASEAN to make more efforts to consolidate solidarity, promote dialogue culture, peacefully resolve all differences, and comply with international law, the United Nations Charter as well as the principles and common standards of conduct stated in the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
At international forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN needs to strengthen coordination, unify positions, and uphold international law and multilateralism.
Regarding economy, Minister Le Hoai Trung affirmed that self-reliance and sustainability are key factors. ASEAN needs to make efforts to effectively implement agreed commitments and measures, strengthen intra-bloc economic linkages, connect infrastructure, ensure energy security, including accelerating the progress of key energy cooperation projects such as ASEAN Power Grid, Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline, considering and ready to activate emergency support mechanisms within the framework of the ASEAN Oil and Gas Security Agreement.
Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized that ASEAN countries need to maintain and prioritize energy supplies for each other, especially oil and gas. At the same time, ASEAN needs to effectively exploit cooperation agreements with partners, including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, to diversify energy supplies.
Regarding citizen protection, Minister Le Hoai Trung requested countries to continue to closely coordinate and support each other's citizens; affirming that Vietnamese Embassies in the Middle East are always open and ready to support ASEAN citizens in difficult and urgent cases.
