Viet Nam welcomes other countries’ positions on the East Sea issue provided that such positions are in line with international law, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang. 

Foreign Ministry's Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang.

Hang made the above statement at a press conference on Thursday when asked about Viet Nam’s response to the Note Verbal jointly sent to the United Nations by the UK, France and Germany last month.

Viet Nam’s positions on East Sea-related issues are consistent and have been stated on multiple occasions, said Hang, expressing her belief that all countries share common aspiration and goal in maintaining and promoting peace, stability, cooperation in the East Sea.

She emphasized that the respect for rules-based order as well as full and responsible enforcement of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is essential.

Viet Nam expects all countries, including ASEAN’s partners, will spare no effort in making contributions to the maintenance of peace, stability, and cooperation in the East Sea and to the settlement of disputes through dialogue and other peaceful measures in accordance with international law, for common interests, said the Spokesperson, affirming that Viet Nam has always made active and responsible contributions to this process.

In the joint Note Verbal, the UK, France, and Germany hold that all maritime claims in the East Sea should be made and peacefully resolved in accordance with the principles and rules of UNCLOS and the means and procedures for the settlement of disputes provided for in the Convention./.