(VOVWORLD) -The Philippines and Vietnam held that maritime cooperation not only contributes to the Strategic Partnership between the two countries but also to peace, stability and order in the region, according the 10th Meeting of the Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns, which began Monday in Ha Long City.
 Delegates attending the 10th Meeting of the Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns between Vietnam and Philippines (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs) |
The two delegations exchanged views on recent developments in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) and expressed concern about recent unilateral actions that undermine the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of coastal states under international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of upholding international law, especially UNCLOS, ASEAN centrality and position in the East Sea, the maintenance of peace, stability, and order, and the peaceful settlement of disputes.
The maritime cooperation mechanism between Vietnam and the Philippines was established in 2004 and since then has been considered a pillar of Vietnam- Philippines relations. It plays a significant role in strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership, protecting the rights and interests of each country in the East Sea, promoting peace, and stability in the region, and consolidating ASEAN solidarity.