The third international workshop on the East Sea wrapped up in Hanoi on Nov. 5.
With the theme “East Sea: Cooperation for security and development in the region”, the two-day workshop with the participation of more than 200 foreign and domestic delegates heard 31 speeches and more than 70 opinions focusing on topics relating to the East Sea.
On the importance of the East Sea, scholars said with economic values and important shipping routes, the territorial waters is of great significance to economic growth of not only countries surrounding the East Sea but also other countries in the region and the world.
Regarding recent situation on the East Sea , delegates and scholars shared the same view that the East Sea issue is becoming more complicated as concerned parties have not yet found the common voice in settling differences.
The move by countries involved in disputes to buy more military equipment to modernise the army is one of the reasons that have escalated the tension in the region, they noted.
Regarding the international law, the delegates underlined the role of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in curbing and managing threats to maritime security and safety in the East Sea .
They said that the UNCLOS can be applied to clarify sovereignty claims of disputed parties, thus restricting the seizure and construction of artificial buildings, and create legal basis for claims for territorial waters of parties.
The UNCLOS should be considered an effective tool to protect interests among relevant sides and the most important basis for discussions. The relevant parties need to strictly implement the UNCLOS in internal and external affairs related to the East Sea , the delegates said.
The delegates and scholars at the event proposed a number of measures to promote cooperation in the East Sea based on experience of many countries worldwide in addressing sea disputes.
The most worthy of note was initiatives on building a managerial system of fishery at regional level and effectively controlling marine pollution, setting up a bilateral or multilateral network of marine reserves as a solution to replace the current unilateral prohibition of fishing.
The scholars said in order to settle the East Sea disputes peacefully relevant parties should be persistent in negotiations, increase dialogues in the spirit of cooperation and respect for international laws, refrain from violations and create transparency for sovereignty claims over seas and islands.
The establishment of the Code of Conduct (COC) of Parties in the East Sea will help to build trust among countries to create a peaceful and stable environment and encourage parties to cooperate in management and exploitation of natural resources in the East Sea peacefully.
The seminar is seen as an effort to promote international cooperation in matters regarding the East Sea./.
With the theme “East Sea: Cooperation for security and development in the region”, the two-day workshop with the participation of more than 200 foreign and domestic delegates heard 31 speeches and more than 70 opinions focusing on topics relating to the East Sea.
On the importance of the East Sea, scholars said with economic values and important shipping routes, the territorial waters is of great significance to economic growth of not only countries surrounding the East Sea but also other countries in the region and the world.
Regarding recent situation on the East Sea , delegates and scholars shared the same view that the East Sea issue is becoming more complicated as concerned parties have not yet found the common voice in settling differences.
The move by countries involved in disputes to buy more military equipment to modernise the army is one of the reasons that have escalated the tension in the region, they noted.
Regarding the international law, the delegates underlined the role of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in curbing and managing threats to maritime security and safety in the East Sea .
They said that the UNCLOS can be applied to clarify sovereignty claims of disputed parties, thus restricting the seizure and construction of artificial buildings, and create legal basis for claims for territorial waters of parties.
The UNCLOS should be considered an effective tool to protect interests among relevant sides and the most important basis for discussions. The relevant parties need to strictly implement the UNCLOS in internal and external affairs related to the East Sea , the delegates said.
The delegates and scholars at the event proposed a number of measures to promote cooperation in the East Sea based on experience of many countries worldwide in addressing sea disputes.
The most worthy of note was initiatives on building a managerial system of fishery at regional level and effectively controlling marine pollution, setting up a bilateral or multilateral network of marine reserves as a solution to replace the current unilateral prohibition of fishing.
The scholars said in order to settle the East Sea disputes peacefully relevant parties should be persistent in negotiations, increase dialogues in the spirit of cooperation and respect for international laws, refrain from violations and create transparency for sovereignty claims over seas and islands.
The establishment of the Code of Conduct (COC) of Parties in the East Sea will help to build trust among countries to create a peaceful and stable environment and encourage parties to cooperate in management and exploitation of natural resources in the East Sea peacefully.
The seminar is seen as an effort to promote international cooperation in matters regarding the East Sea./.
