Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam welcomes the stance held by other countries onthe East Sea issue that conforms with international law, Foreign Ministryspokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said in response to a question from a reporter aboutVietnam’s view of a joint note sent by the UK, France, and Germany to the UN onSeptember 16.
Vietnam’sstance on East Sea-related issues remains consistent and has been affirmed repeatedlyon different occasions, Hang told the ministry’s regular press briefing onOctober 1.
“Vietnamholds that all countries share the common aspiration and target of maintainingand promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the East Sea.To do that, respecting legal order at sea and enforcing the UN Convention onthe Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) in an adequate and responsible manner and ingood faith is crucial,” she said.
Hangreiterated that Vietnam shares the standpoint as stated in the 36th ASEAN Summit’s declaration and the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’Meeting’s joint communiqué, which affirm that UNCLOS is the legal framework regulatingall activities in seas and oceans.
“In thisspirit, together with ASEAN member states, Vietnam hopes that all countries,including ASEAN’s partners, will exert efforts to maintain peace, stability,and cooperation in the East Sea and resolve disputes through dialogue andpeaceful measures in accordance with international law for the common interestand expectations of all countries in the region and the internationalcommunity,” Hang said.
“Oncemore, I want to affirm that Vietnam always contributes actively and responsiblyto this process.”
Recently,Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said that his country will tryto complete the second negotiation round over the Code of Conduct in the EastSea (COC) before passing on its role as Coordinator of China-ASEAN DialogueRelations this year.
Regardingthis matter, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that resuming the COC talksafter their suspension because of COVID-19 is a priority for ASEAN memberstates and China.
Vietnamhopes to, together with relevant parties, resume talks to soon achieve a thoroughand effective COC that is in accordance with international law and UNCLOS./.
VNA