HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam welcomes the outcomes of the North Korea-South Korea summit and the signing of the Pyongyang joint-declaration between the two sides, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson Lê Thị Thu Hằng said on September 20.

“Việt Nam supports concerned parties in maintaining dialogues and high-level visits, continuing to have constructive and pragmatic actions towards full denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula; as well as promoting talks and co-operation, contributing to regional and global peace and security,” the foreign affairs’ spokesperson said in response to the media’s queries on Việt Nam’s reaction to the historic event.

Foreign military activities

Regarding the activities of British warships and the first-ever drill of Japanese naval force in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), the foreign ministry official said Việt Nam respects freedom of navigation and flight in the East Sea, as long as the activities are in line with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS 1982).

She reiterated that Việt Nam has sufficient legal and historic evidences to prove its uncontestable sovereignty over the two island chains, Hoàng Sa (Paracel) and Trường Sa (Spratly).

Hằng said that the Vietnamese Government “asks that countries have pragmatic and responsible contributions to the upholding of peace, order and rule-of-law in the East Sea.”

Hằng also noted that the Japanese Government has made an official announcement regarding their military activities in the East Sea, before the country’s submarine started a five-day port call in Việt Nam earlier this week.

The British Royal Navy’s 22,000-tonne HMS Albion amphibious warship reportedly approached the Việt Nam’s Hoàng Sa (Paracel) islands before the ship was welcomed in Việt Nam’s HCM City. On the occasion, the UK’s newly appointed Ambassor to Việt Nam Gareth Ward also told Vietnam News Agency that defence co-operation between the countries have been blooming in the areas of maritime law, coast guard training, peacekeeping efforts and fostering understanding between the two sides’ navies. — VNS