Marine security cooperation mechanism proposed for East Asia

The urgent need for an international cooperation mechanism on marine security and safety in East Asia was highlighted at an international workshop in Quang Ninh province that concluded on June 10.
Marine security cooperation mechanism proposed for East Asia ảnh 1A coast guard ship of the Vietnam Marine Police patrol the East Sea. (Source: www.ocean-fortune.com)

Quang Ninh (VNA) – The urgent need for an international cooperation mechanism on marine security and safety in East Asia was highlighted at an international workshop in Quang Ninh province that concluded on June 10.

The two-day event on sea security and development was co-hosted by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Delegation of the European Union to Vietnam.

In the fourth working session on June 10, participants looked at the regional security structure and several sea cooperation mechanisms around the world with a view to seeking a suitable model for the region.

Experts also recommended countries in the region boosting dialogues on improving capability, building an information-sharing system and a joint action programme.

They suggested a collective security mechanism for Asia following the European model.

Several legal experts from the European Union argued that making use of international courts is an effective way of resolving marine disputes.

Professor Erik Franck , a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), said being an international organisation, ASEAN can follow the model of the European Union to become an entity in international relationships and a member of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea ( UNCLOS ) that will allow the bloc to use laws to promote cooperation and solve disputes.

Judge Pangalangan from the International Criminal Court at The Hague said the rate of using the International Court of Justice and the International Court of Arbitration to resolve disputes in Asia is lower than other parts of the world.

Besides cultural and historical barriers, the real problem is that Asian countries show a lack of trust and commitment to the principles of international law from agencies, ministries and policy-makers, who thought legal proceedings are likely to be politicised or rigged, said Pangalangan.

Therefore, he said more information exchange and dialogue are necessary to raise awareness of the importance and efficiency of international courts in solving international disputes.

Having a pool of well-trained lawyers is an area countries need to pay attention to, if they are to achieve good results at international courts, he said.

The fifth and final session was dedicated to ways to apply international laws and the settlement of issues through the Court of Arbitration set up under the UNCLOS’s Appendix VII. Many speakers underlined the importance of the UNCLOS in general and the convention’s dispute settlement mechanism in particular.

Throughout the two-day discussions, participants shared the view that political will, trust building measures and respect for international rules and legal standards as well as mutual respect are key to overcome the difference of opinions on sovereignty claims and the gap in response to protect the marine and common living spaces of countries. - VNA

VNA

See more

☀️ Morning digest on April 2

☀️ Morning digest on April 2

Belgian King Philippe's meetings with top leaders of Vietnam, the 16th session of the Vietnam-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, and Singapore's approval of the import of selected poultry meat and egg products from Vietnam are among news highlights on April 1 evening.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse are welcomed at Zvartnots International Airport of Yerevan on late April 1 (local time). (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman begins official visit to Armenia

The official visit is a demonstration of Vietnam’s consistent policy of treasuring and promoting relations with the countries it has traditional friendship with, including Armenia.

President Luong Cuong and his spouse and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the state banquet. (Photo: VNA)

State leader, spouse host grand banquet for Belgian King, Queen

In the past over five decades, Vietnam and Belgium have emerged as key partners across multiple fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education, health care, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Both nations have also worked closely together at multilateral forums, particularly as members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

Party leader To Lam (R) and Belgian King Philippe (Photo: VNA)

Belgian King’s visit to create new momentum for deepening ties: Party leader

Belgian King Philippe's visit, accompanied by senior officials, business leaders, representatives of universities and research institutes, would create new momentum to deepen and enhance the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium in a practical and effective way, meeting the benefits of their people and contributing responsibly to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) hosts visiting King Philippe of Belgium in Hanoi on April 1 (Photo: VNA)

NA leader hosts Belgian King in Hanoi

To further strengthen Vietnam-Belgium relations, especially parliamentary cooperation, both sides agreed to enhance delegation exchanges at all levels, particularly between parliamentary committees and friendship groups. They also pledged to share legislative and supervisory experience, coordinate positions in international organisations, support each other’s candidacies for UN bodies, and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong (R) meets with Belgian King Philippe in Hanoi on April 1 morning. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wants to strengthen multi-faceted cooperation with Belgium: State President

President Cuong warmly welcomed King Philippe and a high-ranking delegation of the Kingdom of Belgium on their first state visit to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, affirming that the trip is an important historical milestone, opening up a new page for the friendly relations between the two countries.