EU shares Vietnam's concerns over recent tensions in the East Sea

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh and Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini at a press conference in Hanoi on the morning of August 5.

On August 5, at a press conference after talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Pham Binh Minh, Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said that the European Union (EU) shares Vietnam's concerns about the recent increased tensions in the East Sea. The EU believes that such tensions are not favorable for a peaceful and stable environment in the region.

“The EU supports freedom of navigation, freedom of navigation and overflight in the seas and we also support the process towards the conclusion of negotiations on a legally binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC). We also want all parties to promote efforts to reduce tensions, support a stance towards respect for international law and in particular respect for all provisions of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982),” said Ms. Mogherini.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh welcomed the EU’s stance in support of freedom, security and safety of navigation in the East Sea. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, militarization and unilateral activities have been increasing tensions, eroding trust and weakening peace, security and stability in the region.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Pham Binh Minh suggested that the EU continue to contribute to maintaining peace, stability, the rule of law, respect for UNCLOS 1982, and respect for the rights and legitimate interests of countries in the East Sea./.