(VOVworld) - More than 200 local and foreign scholars, experts and government officials attended Monday’s international seminar in Hanoi to discuss security measures and cooperation in the East Sea.

ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Nyan Lynn spoke at the seminar (Source: VOV)

Director of the Diplomacy Academy of Vietnam, Dang Dinh Quy, noted in his opening speech that during the past five years there have been numerous changes in the East Sea and the parties concerned have thus far refrained from conflict within the region. However, up until now they have only pursued immediate interests, interpreting international law differently and delaying the establishment of cooperation mechanisms for dispute management and conflict prevention in the East Sea. He predicted that the East Sea would continue to experience uncertainties and be one of the most complex regions in the world over the next five years. In this context, the seminar will work out new initiatives to assure peace and stability in the East Sea. Quy said: "In a frank, objective and constructive spirit, this seminar will further discuss recent developments, the benefits and policies of the related parties, measures for the application of international laws, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and work out initiatives to make practical contributions to peace and security in the region".

ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Nyan Lynn delivered the ASEAN General Secretary’s message, urging the parties concerned to settle their disputes through peaceful measures  in line with international law, particularly the1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). General Secretary Le Luong Minh noted a united ASEAN, with its central role in the regional security structure and effective implementation of principles in the ASEAN Charter, would help the grouping make a significant contribution to seeking viable solutions to East Sea disputes. ASEAN will encourage the parties concerned to implement the current Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) effectively and comprehensively and accelerate negotiations for a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC). Mr. Nyan Lynn said: "We are committed to ensuring the full and effective implementation of DOC and accelerating official consultation with China on the development of COC. In our view, the development of COC should be in parallel with the DOC since these are two mutually reinforcing processes. The COC should be build upon the DOC but should also be upgraded to a high level in terms of political, commitment and legal status".

The two-day seminar focuses on recent developments in the East Sea, international law, international experience in settling sea-related disputes, DOC implementation, the future of the East Sea, and recommendations.