Mr Khiem made the remark at the EAS Ministers Informal Consultations meeting in Singapore on July 22, which was echoed by other ASEAN Foreign Ministers and ASEAN’s partners (China, Japan and the Republic of Korea).

Mr Khiem said EAS member countries should seek ways to overcome difficulties in the areas of energy and food supply, disaster management, epidemic prevention and environment protection.

At the meeting, the EAS foreign ministers reviewed the implementation of decisions made at the ASEAN+3 Summit in November 2007, including the second-time declaration on cooperation in East Asia and the ASEAN+3 working plan from 2007-2017.

They reaffirmed their commitments to fostering the ASEAN+3 cooperation process, considering this a key tool for the long-term goal of building the East Asian Community.

The ministers also praised results of the study on the establishment of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia and on the establishment of an Economic Research Institute for ASEAN, which were decided at the third East Asian Summit.

Bilateral talks on ASEAN sidelines

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem on July 22 had bilateral meetings with officials from China, Cambodia, Laos and Canada on the sidelines of the 41^st ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Singapore.

Mr Khiem, who is also Foreign Minister, met with Chinese FM Yang Jiechi to discuss bilateral ties as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Minister Yang praised Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s visit to China in early June, saying it took bilateral ties to a new level of comprehensive strategic partnership. He thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their assistance to earthquake victims in Sichuan province, and their cooperation in the Olympic torchlight procession in Ho Chi Minh City.

Minister Yang said Chinese leaders want to enhance economic and trade ties with Vietnam.

The two officials discussed preparations for future visits by the two countries’ leaders. They agreed to step up the border demarcation and landmark planting to complete the task later this year as agreed by their top leaders.

They jointly praised the two countries’ coordination at regional and international forums and agreed to promote cooperation for peace and stability in the region and the rest of the world.

Earlier, Mr Khiem had separate talks with his Lao counterpart Thoonglun Sisulith, and Cambodian Secretary of State for the Foreign Ministry Kao Kim Hourn to discuss regional issues.