Oil gas actions in sovereign waters: FM spokesperson

July 29, 2017 - 12:40

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng yesterday stressed that oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities were being carried out by Việt Nam in waters completely under its sovereignty.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng yesterday stressed that oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities were being carried out by Việt Nam in waters completely under its sovereignty.– VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Lê Thị Thu Hằng yesterday stressed that oil and gas exploration and exploitation activities were being carried out by Việt Nam in waters completely under its sovereignty.

“Relevant oil and gas activities of Việt Nam are taking place in sea areas that are completely under the country’s sovereign right and jurisdiction, which were established in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," she said.

"Việt Nam asks all parties concerned to respect its rights and legitimate and legal interests and together make efforts to actively and practically contribute to the maintenance of peace and cooperation in the East Sea,” the spokesperson noted.

In another development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh had a telephone conversation with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi yesterday.

The conversation focused on the Indonesian navy vessel (code 371) chasing and firing on Vietnamese fishing vessel (coded BD 31153 TS) from the south central province of Bình Định.

Two Vietnamese fishermen were injured in the incident.

Deputy PM Minh told Marsudi that the case was serious and did not match the sound development of the strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Indonesia at present.

Expressing the nation’s extreme concern, Minh said Indonesia should quickly investigate and inform Việt Nam of the results. He also called on Indonesia to refrain from similar actions in the future.

Earlier, the Consular Department of Việt Nam’s Foreign Ministry reported that the fishing boat had docked at the Côn Đảo port on July 23. The injured fishermen have been taken to hospital for treatment. — VNS

 

E-paper