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Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang. (Photo: VNA)

Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang touched upon maritime and East Sea security issues during the course of the 8th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) which was held on the morning of June 16.

Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang said peace, cooperation, and stability were key to regional security, but there were security threats that need to be dealt with sooner than later, according to Vnexpress.

In particular, the Bien Dong Sea, known internationally as the South China Sea, plays an important role in the global supply chain, Giang said, adding that relevant parties should cooperate with each other and carry out appropriate solutions to guarantee their legal rights.

"Vietnam believes that all relevant parties need to strictly abide by the principle of resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). At the same time, it is necessary to soon complete an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the Bien Dong Sea (COC)," Gen. Giang said.

He said that maritime forces of all countries involved must exercise the utmost restraint and should not take actions that contribute to increasing tensions and complicating the situation in any form. “Continuing to fully implement the Declaration of the Parties on Conduct in the Bien Dong Sea (DOC) as well as the 1982 UNCLOS is needed now more than ever. And we also need to treat fishermen humanely in any circumstances and situations at sea," said the leader of the Vietnamese Defence Minister.

A screenshot of the 8th ADMM+ meeting held online. (Photo: VN Express)

At the ADMM+ meeting, a joint statement put together by 18 Defence Ministers was issued. The statement was given in response to maritime security challenges, as well as handling maritime issues in the region, with ADMM+ countries emphasizing the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability and prosperity, safety, and freedom of both navigation and aviation, VOV cited.

The 18 respective defense leaders agreed upon the need to strengthen mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint, avoid actions that further complicate the situation, and pursue a peaceful dispute resolution, without coercion, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

The statement also acknowledged the existence of unprecedented security challenges like transnational cybersecurity issues and emergency medical issues, including natural disasters and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

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