Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Le Thanh Tung on July 7 bid farewells to President of the Mexican Senate Raul Cervantes Andrade and thanked him for his help during the ambassador’s three-year tenure in the country.

Ambassador Tung took the occasion to inform the Mexican Senate leader on the current tension on the East Sea triggered by China’s illegal placement of its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf since early May.

He also underlined Vietnam’s consistent stance of pursuing all peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to settle any disputes and contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability in the region and the world.

The Mexican senate leader said his country admired the great achievements that Vietnam has gained during 20 years of Doi Moi (renewal) process, adding that he hopes to visit Vietnam soon to increase mutual understanding and expand relations between the two nations, especially parliamentary ties.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he called on all parties concerned to prevent the tension from escalating, while expressing his hope that both Vietnam and China will address the issue as soon as possible through peaceful dialogues on the basis of respect for sovereignty, independence, peace and stability in the region and the world.-VNA