Rule of law must be upheld in the East Sea and East China Sea issues
At the 10th ASEAN-Japan Deputy Defense Ministers' Meeting, representatives of ASEAN countries all agreed that respect for international law is decisive for peace and stability in the region and the world.
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| Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh leads the Vietnamese defense delegation to attend the 10th ASEAN-Japan Deputy Defense Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: Duong Giang/VNA) |
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh - Member of the Party Central Committee, Standing Member of the Central Military Commission, Deputy Minister of National Defense led the Vietnamese defense delegation to attend the conference.
The conference will include three main sessions with the following topics: Challenges and efforts to share universal values based on the rule of law; Challenges and efforts to respond to natural disasters; Vision to deepen ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation.
Representatives of ASEAN countries all believe that respect for international law is decisive for peace and stability in the region and the world.
However, competition among major powers, arms races, and unilateral attempts to change the status quo not only pose many challenges to international law but also threaten freedom and openness, a foundation for peace and prosperity in the region.
Sharing the opinions of the delegates on the importance of respecting international law, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh emphasized that currently, the international legal system is relatively complete. The issue is that countries need to understand correctly, interpret accurately and objectively international law, and fully and strictly implement the international conventions and treaties they have joined so that the law is respected.
Delegates from all countries agreed that when discussing the rule of law, it is impossible not to mention the East Sea and East China Sea issues. First of all, countries must not militarize, threaten to use force or use force. Disputes must be resolved by peaceful means and respect diplomatic and legal processes.
Countries need to continue to fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and build a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC), a legally binding document between ASEAN and China but also taking into account the concerns of other countries.
At the conference, ASEAN countries expressed their support for Japan to strengthen defense cooperation with ASEAN according to the “Vientiane Vision,” especially activities to enhance capacity for ASEAN countries.
Regarding ASEAN-Japan defense cooperation, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh said that Vietnam has taken over the role of coordinator of ASEAN-Japan relations since August 2018.
As the coordinator, Vietnam will continue to coordinate with Japan to continue implementing cooperation contents between ASEAN and Japan in the spirit of the "Vientiane Vision" document between the Japanese Defense Minister and the ASEAN Defense Ministers (ADMM).
On the occasion of attending the ASEAN-Japan Deputy Defense Ministers' Meeting, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh also had talks with Japanese Deputy Defense Minister Ro Manabe.
The two deputy ministers expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in defense cooperation between Japan and Vietnam in recent times.
The two sides agreed to continue promoting cooperation in the following areas: naval ship exchange, defense industry, cyber security, overcoming war consequences, and participating in United Nations peacekeeping operations.
