VN stresses on foundations of security, peace at Shangri-La Dialogue

Politburo member, Minister of National Defense Ngo Xuan Lich addresses the 3rd plenary session on SHAPING ASIA'S EVOLVING SECURITY ORDER of the 17th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 2, 2018.

Lich stressed the point at the 3^rd plenary session on the Asia’s evolving security order of the 17^th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 2.

The Vietnamese defense chief made the statement in the context that traditional and non-traditional challenges, including territorial sovereignty disputes and terrorism among others are posing real risks on the Asia-Pacific region.

The best way is to resolve differences and disputes through peaceful measures and dialogues instead of confrontation, threatening to use force or unilateral actions, Lich emphasized.

To resolve complicated security matters, first of all, each country must determine its destiny by itself while needing impartial, fair, objective support from the international community, especially big countries, according to Defense Minister Lich.

All countries need to build trust via consultations, information exchanges, high-level contacts, and joint actions of military forces and most importantly, relevant parties must make their policies transparent, demonstrate their goodwill and  determination in serious implementation of their commitments and obligations, he said.

Regarding the regional security architecture, ASEAN is a successful model of cooperation and connectivity of medium and small countries, playing an increasingly positive and central role in the common efforts.

ASEAN has also contributed to shaping the security architecture and ensuring peace and stability in Asia-Pacific.

For East Sea issue, Lich once again emphasized Viet Nam’s consistent position of supporting the settlement of disputes through peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, strictly complying with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and accelerating the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), considering it as a move to build strategic trust between ASEAN and China.

Relevant parties need to show their responsibilities in building an order at sea in order to make the East Sea truly a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship, said Minister Lich./.

By Thuy Dung