国际英语新闻：ASEAN foreign ministers convene ahead of regional security forum

HANOI, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers from ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened in Vietnam capital Hanoi Tuesday ahead of the 17th ASEAN Regional Forum to discuss regional integration and security enhancement.

In response to recent rising tension in the Korean Peninsula following a South Korean warship sinking on March 26 with the loss of 46 sailors, ministers expressed their concern over the situation and called for early resumption of six-party talks on denuclearization, said 43rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting spokesman Tran Ngoc An at a news briefing.

ASEAN foreign ministers believed that the six-party talks will be a main platform for long-term peace and stability in Korean Peninsula, said An.

The six-party talks, involving China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, have been stalled since December 2008. It is aimed at realizing denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and achieving peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

ASEAN foreign ministers also expressed support for the presidential statement of the United Nations Security Council earlier this month which condemned the attack on Cheonan warship without assigning blame, said An.

ASEAN foreign ministers extended condolences to the people and government of the Republic of Korea for their loss.

An said ASEAN foreign ministers also discussed the amendment to Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) at the meeting.

TAC is a regional security pact adopted by ASEAN in 1976. It is aimed at promoting peace, security and stability in the region.

With the rising importance of ASEAN, TAC has seen wider engagement from countries outside ASEAN in recent years. China joined TAC in 2003, being the first country outside the region to accede to TAC.

A number of countries have also taken part in TAC including India, Japan, Pakistan among others. The United States joined TAC last year. The European Union is in the process of joining TAC.