Vietnam reaffirms consistent stance on East Sea dispute settlement
VOV.VN - Vietnam supports the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, without the use or threat of force, and with full respect for diplomatic and legal processes, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Vietnam’s consistent position was reaffirmed by spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang in response to questions about the 9th anniversary of the arbitral ruling in the case between the Philippines and China (July 12, 2016 – 2025).
“Relevant parties must respect the rights and legitimate interests of other countries and fully comply with their legal obligations under the 1982 UNCLOS. They should also make positive contributions to maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and order in the East Sea,” stated Hang at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on July 17.
As a coastal state and a member of UNCLOS, she said, Vietnam asserts that the 1982 UNCLOS is the sole legal framework governing all activities in the seas and oceans and the only basis for defining maritime entitlements. Accordingly, maritime claims by UNCLOS member states must be consistent with its provisions, and must respect the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of coastal states.
Vietnam elected Chair of 35th meeting of State Parties to UNCLOS
Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu has been elected Chair of the ongoing 35th meeting of the States Parties to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (SPLOS 35) which opened in New York on June 23.
