High level workshop on maritime issues and UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

(CPV) - Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the EU Delegation to Vietnam is co organizing a high level workshop on “Maritime issues and UN Convention on the Law of the Sea: Sharing European and Asian approaches to territorial disputes” in Ha Long city from June 4th-5th.

The event, as part of EU-Vietnam strategic dialogue facility, creates a forum for experts, academics and practitioners to exchange views and experiences and best practices on various aspects related to maritime issues. Moreover, it also enhances the participants’ understanding and knowledge of the functions and mechanisms of Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as well as of regional and EU-Vietnam cooperation on the maritime aspects.

Overview of the workshop. (Photo: Ngoc Bich)

The participants will discuss numerous issues, including the existing problems in perception, explanation and application of the international Law of the Sea so that recommendations can be produced for better management of disputer and prevention of conflicts, aiming for adequate settlement of territorial disputes and thus, prompting peace and development cooperation,” transforming disputed seas and East Sea into the seas of cooperation and peace” on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

“The EU has a long experience in crisis management and conflict prevention and is ready to assist the interested parties. Based on its own experience the EU encourages joint management of resources, separating the sovereignty issue from economic exploitation to contribute to confidence building. Southeast Asian security and stability is a precondition for the region's continued economic success. Southeast Asian nations cannot allow maritime disputes to pose a threat to the maritime safety, freedom of navigation and peace of the nearby seas”, said Ambassador Mr. Franz Jessen, Head of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam.

More than 140 participants are discussing on various aspects related to maritime issues in Europe and the Asian region including: The legal regime of features at sea from jurisprudence and state practices, the legal regime of maritime zones; maritime security: incidents at sea, combating armed robbery and piracy, search and rescue, maritime domain awareness; maritime cooperation and ocean governance, and maritime delimitation and dispute settlement./.