ASEAN unity in tackling maritime challenges in the East Sea was discussed at a seminar in Bangkok, Thailand on June 20.

The seminar, which saw the participation of scholars from ASEAN countries, China , India and Japan , aimed to seek peaceful and legal solutions to deal with maritime challenges facing ASEAN nations.

Director of the Thailand Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak stressed that the 46-year-old ASEAN has been playing a central role in regional issues, therefore, the bloc’s solidarity and unity are critical in coping with marine challenges in the East Sea.

Nyunt Maung Shein, a delegate from Myanmar which will take over the ASEAN chair in 2014, affirmed it is necessary for all parties to reach a strategic trust, which had been proposed by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in his keynote speech at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue.

Mutual trust is crucial and will lay the foundations for dealing with current disputes, he added.

Dr. Vo Xuan Vinh, Vietnam’s representative at the event, highlighted efforts made by ASEAN member states in seeking peaceful solutions to disputes in the East Sea over the past years.

It is important for the group to share views on the disputes, which all need to be settled by peaceful means in accordance with international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and statements and principles signed between ASEAN and China, said Vinh.

ASEAN member countries also need to accelerate talks to reach the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) for regional peace and stability, he added.

The conference was co-organised by the ISIS and the Centre for Asian Strategic Studies in India.-VNA