Vietnam appeals for cooperation, contributions to peace, stability, legal order at sea

Countries should cooperate with one another and make active and practical contributions to the maintenance of peace, stability, and legal order at sea, Vice Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on December 10.

Vice Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang

She made the remark while responding to the media’s question regarding the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The official affirmed that the adoption of the 1982 UNCLOS – the “constitution of the seas and oceans” – is significant to the development of international law in general and the international law of the sea in particular. Over the last 40 years, the convention has always served as a comprehensive and full international legal framework and the legal foundation for all activities of sea and ocean management and use.

As a law-abiding and responsible member of the international community and an active member of the 1982 UNCLOS, Vietnam has consistently upheld the convention’s guidelines, goals, and principles; seriously complied with and implemented the convention; persistently resolved sea-related differences by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS; and actively engaged in and contributed many initiatives to activities within the institutions set up under the convention, winning the international community’s recognition, Hang noted.

Besides, Vietnam has also stepped up perfecting its legal regulations on sea management and use in accordance with the convention, while enhancing international maritime cooperation on the basis of UNCLOS and the UN Sustainable Development Goals adopted in 2015, according to the Vice Spokeswoman.

On this occasion, Vietnam also emphasised that countries need to continue respecting and fully implementing their obligations under UNCLOS and international law; cooperate with each other; and make active and practical contributions to the maintenance of peace, stability, and legal order at sea, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight, and the sustainable development of the seas and oceans./.

VNA