Vietnam: oil and gas cooperation in East Sea must abide by 1982 UNCLOS
Vietnam: oil and gas cooperation in East Sea must adhere to 1982 UNCLOS
Oil and gas cooperation between the Philippines and China in the East Sea can only be conducted in waters that both sides hold sovereignty and sovereignty rights over, in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Vice Spokesperson Nguyen Phuong Tra at the event (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Oil and gas cooperation betweenthe Philippines and China in the East Sea can only be conducted in waters thatboth sides hold sovereignty and sovereignty rights over, in line with the 1982United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affair’s ViceSpokesperson Nguyen Phuong Tra made the statement at a regular press conferencein Hanoi on November 22 in response to reporters’ queries about Vietnam’sstance on a memorandum of understanding on oil and gas exploitation signedbetween the Philippines and China on November 20.
She said Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue, including sovereignty,sovereignty rights, and legitimate rights at sea, is clear and consistent, and hasbeen declared multiple times.
As a responsible member of the international community and anEast Sea bordering country, Vietnam highly values international cooperation,including cooperation at sea on the basis of respecting the sovereignty and legitimaterights of parties concerned in line with international law, especially the 1982UNCLOS, for the sake of peace, stability, and development in the region, aswell as for the friendship and collaboration amongst surrounding countries.–VNA
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