Viet Nam has called on countries to continue making active and practical contributions to the maintenance of peace and stability as well as respect and implement relevant international legal obligations on territorial waters and oceans, according to spokesperson of Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.

Spokesperson of Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

She made the statement in response to reporters’ queries on 15 February about the recent US naval vessel’s passing through the area of Viet Nam’s Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago.

The spokesperson said Viet Nam’s stance on sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the East Sea is clear and in accordance with international law, which has been emphasised many times.

As a member country of the United Nations 1982 Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and a nation in the coastal area of the East Sea, Viet Nam always respects the freedom of navigation and aviation of countries in the East Sea, in line with the provisions of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

The maritime policies and related actions of coastal countries should be consistent with international law as reflected in the 1982 UNCLOS, Hang said.

(Source: VNA)