A series of Senior Officials’ Meetings (SOMs) of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and partners took place in preparation for the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and related meetings scheduled for early August. The Vietnamese delegation to the meetings was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh.
The meetings focused on reviewing cooperation in the frameworks of ASEAN, ASEAN+3 and the East Asia Summit (EAS) and working out directions for the future, as well as discussing regional and international issues of common concern.
The East Sea issue attracted special attention at the meetings, with countries expressing deep concern over the escalating tensions in the East Sea and emphasising the need to abide by international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea as well as to work for a Code of Conduct (COC) on the East Sea.
Addressing the meetings, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh presented in detail China’s illegal acts in the East Sea. He made clear that China’s placement of Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig together with many escort ships deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone had seriously violated international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, directly impacting peace, stability, security and navigation safety in the East Sea.
The East Sea issue attracted special attention at the meetings, with countries expressing deep concern over the escalating tensions in the East Sea and emphasising the need to abide by international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea as well as to work for a Code of Conduct (COC) on the East Sea.
Addressing the meetings, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh presented in detail China’s illegal acts in the East Sea. He made clear that China’s placement of Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig together with many escort ships deep inside Vietnam’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone had seriously violated international law and the 1982 UNCLOS, directly impacting peace, stability, security and navigation safety in the East Sea.
A series of Senior Officials’ Meetings of ASEAN and partners took place in Yangon, Myanmar on June 7-8. Photo: VNA
On June 27, 2014, a special session of SOM ASEAN on the central role of ASEAN
and strategic orientation of the region’s structure in the future was held in Hanoi.
In the photo: The delegates pose for a photo. Photo: Phuong Hoa - VNA
China mobilises a large number of military vessels to protect its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig. Photo: Cong Dinh & Huu Trung - VNA
A Chinese coast guard vessel rams and fires high-powered water cannons at a Vietnamese vessel. Photo: Van Son - VNA
Vietnam’s coast guard vessel 2016, which was damaged by a Chinese vessel, is repaired. Photo: Tran Le Lam - VNA
The side of Vietnam’s coast guard vessel 2016, is seriously damaged by a Chinese vessel. Photo: Tran Le Lam - VNA
Nguyen Thi Nhu Hoa, owner of fishing boat DNa 90152 TS which was sunk by a Chinese vessel
in Vietnam’s waters answers questions of delegates at the international seminar
“Hoang Sa – Truong Sa: Historical Truth” in Da Nang in June 2014. Photo: Tran Le Lam - VNA
International delegates who attend the international conference entitled “Hoang Sa-Truong Sa: Historical Truth”
held in Da Nang see with their eyes the hole on the side of the fishing ship DNa 90152 TS
caused by a Chinese vessel. Photo: Tran Le Lam/VNA
Vietnam firmly protested China’s provocative acts, including ramming and firing water cannons at Vietnamese ships which had damaged many fisheries surveillance, coast guard and fishing vessels of Vietnam, he said.
The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that Vietnam demands that China immediately withdraw its rig and ships from Vietnam’s waters.
Vietnam attaches importance to the friendship and cooperation with China and the country is resolved to protect its sovereignty and seas by peaceful measures, in line with international law, he said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh called on regional countries and the international community to continue voicing their protest against China’s violations and demanding that China respects international law and the UNCLOS as well as strictly carries out the DOC and work toward a COC as soon as possible.
Regarding ASEAN cooperation, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh stressed the need to enhance unity and bring into full play the central role of the bloc in addressing issues related to peace, stability and development cooperation in the region. He spoke highly of ASEAN’s central role in promoting regional linkage and connectivity as well as in the evolving regional architecture towards the common goal of peace and prosperity in the region.
The Vietnamese representative shared the overall assessment about the outcomes of the cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, particularly in promoting regional linkage, responding to natural disaster, climate change, food and energy security and maritime security and safety.
He took the occasion to announce that Vietnam will host the ASEAN Marine Forum (AMF) and the Extended ASEAN Marine Forum (EAMF) in late August, which aims to further regional collaboration to ensure maritime security and safety as well as other sea-related fields.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh also stressed the need to further enhance the EAS’s role as an important part of the regional structure with ASEAN playing the central role, so that it continues to contribute to peace, stability and development in the region.
The Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that Vietnam demands that China immediately withdraw its rig and ships from Vietnam’s waters.
Vietnam attaches importance to the friendship and cooperation with China and the country is resolved to protect its sovereignty and seas by peaceful measures, in line with international law, he said.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh called on regional countries and the international community to continue voicing their protest against China’s violations and demanding that China respects international law and the UNCLOS as well as strictly carries out the DOC and work toward a COC as soon as possible.
Regarding ASEAN cooperation, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh stressed the need to enhance unity and bring into full play the central role of the bloc in addressing issues related to peace, stability and development cooperation in the region. He spoke highly of ASEAN’s central role in promoting regional linkage and connectivity as well as in the evolving regional architecture towards the common goal of peace and prosperity in the region.
The Vietnamese representative shared the overall assessment about the outcomes of the cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, particularly in promoting regional linkage, responding to natural disaster, climate change, food and energy security and maritime security and safety.
He took the occasion to announce that Vietnam will host the ASEAN Marine Forum (AMF) and the Extended ASEAN Marine Forum (EAMF) in late August, which aims to further regional collaboration to ensure maritime security and safety as well as other sea-related fields.
Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh also stressed the need to further enhance the EAS’s role as an important part of the regional structure with ASEAN playing the central role, so that it continues to contribute to peace, stability and development in the region.
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On June 27, a special senior officials meeting of ASEAN was held in Hanoi that was initiated by Vietnam at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Myanmar. Vietnam’s initiative received high applauds from other countries.
All participants affirmed that the on-going complicated developments in the East Sea have seriously affected peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the region. Therefore, this is a matter of common concern on which ASEAN should raise its voice to demonstrate the bloc’s central role and responsibility. They said ASEAN should speak out to support the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region. The participants underlined the need to abide by international law, the 1982 United Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and related agreements in the region, especially the serious and full implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to which China is a signatory, without the use of or threat to use force, while working towards an early conclusion of a Code of Conduct on the East Sea (COC), in order to better ensure peace, stability and security in the region. |
By Vietnamplus/VNP
