Unclos

Participants at the workshop (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is an important legal instrument to regulate maritime issues and ensure legitimate rights and interests of countries, heard the second ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) workshop on implementing UNCLOS in Hanoi on November 13. The co-Chairs of the workshop - Director of the Department of Law and International Treaty under Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Deborah Paul, and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Giorgio Aliberti - affirmed the crucial role of the UNCLOS in managing activities of nations at sea over the past 25 years. They also affirmed that the convention is also an important framework for countries to address disputes and enhance maritime cooperation. Based on the convention, a number of initiatives have been proposed to promote cooperation between ASEAN member nations, and between the bloc and its dialogue … [Read more...] about UNCLOS – important legal instrument to solve maritime issues

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung addresses the ceremony in Hanoi on November 14 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a ceremony in Hanoi on November 14 to mark the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Vietnam’s membership of the treaty. The event was attended by nearly 200 delegates from ministries and sectors, foreign ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic corps in Hanoi, along with more than 100 others from 22 members of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) who took part in the ARF workshop on implementing the UNCLOS and other international instruments to address emerging maritime issues in Hanoi on November 13-14. The UNCLOS was adopted on December 10, 1982 and took effect on November 16, 1994. Vietnam was one of the first 107 countries to sign and ratify this convention. In its ratification resolution, the Vietnamese National Assembly affirmed that by … [Read more...] about Vietnam marks 25th anniversary of UNCLOS’s entry into force

Swiss lawyer Pierre Schifferli (Photo: VNA) Geneva (VNA) – It is necessary to maintain and respect international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), in the settlement of disputes in the East Sea, Swiss lawyer Pierre Schifferli has said. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondent in Geneva, Schifferli, who is an expert on international law regarding sovereignty disputes, said all countries, big or small, must comply with international law in the spirit of respect for law, referring to China’s defiance of the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration’s ruling on the Philippines’ lawsuit against China’s claim in the East Sea. He affirmed that security in the East Sea is of special importance as it not only affects regional countries but also has close relations with peace and security in the world. Many countries in the region and the world have supported the respect for … [Read more...] about Swiss lawyer emphasises observance of int’l law in East Sea

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan welcomes Chairman of the Mazhilis (lower house) of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Nurlan Nigmatulin (L) At the talks, the Vietnamese NA leader highlighted the Kazakhstani guest’s official visit as a landmark in the time-honoured friendship and all-around cooperation between the two nations. Nigmatulin applauded the fruitful bilateral relationship, especially the positive development of legislative ties via frequent visits and meetings, including bilateral ones on the sidelines of regional and international parliamentary forums. Since 2016, the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union has benefited Vietnam-Kazakhstan economic and trade ties, with two-way trade surging from more than US$ 200 million in 2017 to US$268 million last year. The first half of this year saw the figure rise to nearly US$130 million, the two leaders said. However, according to them, the results are still below full potential of … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Kazakhstan enjoy sound relationship

Flags of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Unilateral actions in the East Sea have deteriorated maritime security environment in the region, said a European Union spokesperson in a statement on August 28. “Unilateral actions during the past weeks in the South China Sea have resulted in mounting tensions and a deterioration of the maritime security environment which represents a serious threat to the peaceful economic development of the region,” the statement said. The EU advised all parties in the region to exercise self-restraint, take concrete steps towards reverting to the status quo ante, refrain from militarising the region and resolve disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, notably the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). “The  parties could also seek third-party assistance in the form of mediation or arbitration to facilitate the settlement of their respective claims, … [Read more...] about Unilateral actions in East Sea weaken regional maritime security: EU