VietNamNet Bridge – A two-day international conference on the East Sea wrapped up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia yesterday, Dec 13, after participants reviewed recent developments on the issue and suggested measures to resolve the dispute.

According to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Malaysia, the conference drew nearly 120 participants, mostly scholars and diplomats from 25 nations, including Viet Nam.

The conference, titled “Recent developments and implications towards peaceful dispute resolution”, also touched upon maritime security and the role of maritime diplomacy.

In his opening speech, Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Richard Riot Anak Jaem stressed the importance of the East Sea to Southeast Asia in terms of history, culture, society, economy and ecology.

He also said disputes on the East Sea must be resolved by peaceful and diplomatic measures so as to enhance understanding and co-operation among regional countries.

Participants also discussed the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) on the East Sea and orientations for a Code of Conduct (COC) on the East Sea along with recent military activities in the disputed areas.

In his speech, Director of the Centre for East Sea Studies of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam Tran Truong Thuy presented viewpoints on recent developments on the East Sea. He also emphasised the need to have a COC with concrete contents and articles to enhance trust and co-operation in the region and serve as a basis to solve disputes.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News