Commodore Michiel Hijmans (R), former deputy permanent military representative of the Netherlands to NATO and the EU at the conference (Photo: laodong.com.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – A common perspective among countries on risks facing regional maritime security is crucial to build strong cooperation, said Commodore Michiel Hijmans, former deputy permanent military representative of the Netherlands to the NATO and EU.
He made the statement during a conference on the management and settlement of complicated maritime issues in Hanoi on June 13, which was jointly organised by the EU Delegation in Vietnam and the Vietnam Academy of Diplomacy.
Maritime security is a shared concern of all regional countries as they are facing common challenges and risks such as storm, flood, tsunami and environmental problems, he said.
Hijmans also pointed to the need to design an overall and comprehensive strategy involving not only naval forces but also other forces in order to deal with maritime security issues.
Working with each other is key for success in the field of maritime security, he stressed.
Meanwhile, Prof. Erik Franckx, member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and President of the Department of International and European Law at Free University of Brussels (Vrije University), said that as an international organisation, ASEAN should study the European Union’s model in becoming a subject of international relations and a member of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This will be useful for Southeast Asian countries during international integration, as well as the using of legal tools in fostering cooperation and dispute settlement, he added.
During the event, Vietnamese and international maritime experts and researchers also discussed a number of relevant issues, including the response to non-traditional maritime challenges, and the legal framework and regional lessons in settling disputes through peaceful measures.-VNA
