(VOVworld) - The 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea turns 30 on December 10. For the occasion, Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son, head of the national Border Committee wrote an article titled “ 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea- A constitution on the Ocean” highlighting the significance of the document and Vietnam’s compliance with the convention. Here are some excerpts of the Deputy Foreign Minister’s article.

Mr. Son says that 30 years ago, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea was adopted by 107 countries including Vietnam, marking the success of the 3^rd UN Conference on the Law of the Sea in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Representatives of 150 countries and several international organizations attended the event. The Convention was a huge document containing of 320 articles and 9 annexes. It took effect on November 16, 1994 and became one of the most important international conventions in the 20^th century, eventually ratified by 164 countries. Mr. Son noted that the Convention covers a wide range of issues relating to the coasts of member countries as well as the exploitation and utilization of international waters and sea-beds. Major issues of the Convention include the legal framework of sovereign seas, and rights of sovereignty and jurisdiction over internal waters, territorial waters, border waters, special economic zones and continental shelves. The legal mechanism of international waters and sea beds- the common heritage of mankind, and the utilization and management of sea resources, sea environmental protection, sea scientific research and maritime security are also stipulated in the convention.

The Deputy Foreign Minister says Vietnam became one of 107 signatories of the Convention on the day it was adopted. On June 23, 1994, the Vietnamese National Assembly issued a resolution approving this important legal document. The first article of the resolution pointed out: “by approving the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shows its determination to join the international community to set up an equal legal order promoting the development and cooperation on the sea”. Vietnam’s membership in the Convention is of great importance because the Convention is the legal foundation confirming Vietnam’s seas, special economic zones and continental shelf as well as legitimate rights at sea. As a signatory, Vietnam is internationally recognized as having a territorial water area of 12 nautical miles, a special economic zone of 200 nautical miles and a continental shelf of at least 200 nautical miles which can be expanded to 350 nautical miles from its baseline. The Convention is also a legal foundation for delineation of overlapping waters between Vietnam and other nations bordering the East Sea thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

Deputy Foreign Minister Son says Vietnam has in past years conscientiously implemented the convention and held talks on overlapping territorial waters and continental shelf delineation between Vietnam and other countries in the East Sea. These include negotiations on sea border delineation with Thailand in 1997, delineation of sea border, special economic zones and continental shelf in the Tonkin Gulf with China in 2000, and continental shelf delineation with Indonesia in 2003. 18 years after adopting the Convention, the Vietnamese National Assembly on June 21, 2012 approved the Vietnam Law on the Sea. The Vietnam Law on the Sea stipulated for the first time a legal mechanism for Vietnamese seas and islands and its rights of sovereignty and jurisdiction. The Vietnam Law on the Sea is an important legal basis for the management, utilization, protection and development of the country’s maritime economy. By adopting this law, Vietnam proves itself to be a responsible member of the international community, who always complies with international laws. It also shows Vietnam’s determination to strive for peace, stability, cooperation and development.

In recent years, the situation in the East Sea has become complicated. The Vietnamese Party and State aim to comply with the Convention and use the Convention to settle disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means respecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries. In the quest for a long-term solution to the East Sea issue, all parties need to refrain from complicating the situation and comply with the articles of the Convention. Vietnam adheres to a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and multi-lateralization and diversification of relations to defend sea and island sovereignty with combined strength and settle all disputes patiently by peaceful means in accordance with international laws, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Vietnam has proven to be a responsible member of the Convention using the document as a legal foundation to ensure the legitimate interests of all countries.