(Photo: TTXVN)

Delivering a speech at the fifth plenary session of the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore on Sunday, Minister Lich urged parties to manage disputes and handle competitive areas which are likely to lead to conflicts and wars. He stressed the need to abide by international law, respect independence and sovereignty, and legitimate interest of each country, neither to use or threat to use force nor complicate the situation, promote cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, build trust, and gradually settle disputes. Minister Lich said Vietnam will proactively contribute to multilateral cooperation mechanisms to promote peace and prevent conflicts. Minister Lich said: “Vietnam always aspires to peace, stability, and cooperation for development and prosperity. The aim of Vietnam’s defense is to protect national sovereignty and independence, national interests, and national peace, settle disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, proactively integrate internationally, and strengthen cooperation with other countries to protect peace, stability and security in the region and the world.”

Mr. Lich highlighted the East Sea’s great potential and called for compliance of international law and goodwill to make East Sea a sea of peace, cooperation and development. He added that peace and stability in the Asia Pacific region depends much on actions of countries and efforts to prevent conflicts in competitive areas.