Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Secretary General Marcin Czepelak cut the red ribbon inaugurating the PCA Representative Office in Hanoi on November 24. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Addressing the ceremony, Son noted that the inauguration of the PCA Representative Office is a practical step toward realizing the two sides’ commitments in their protocol signed in 2021.

Vietnam supports the PCA in setting up its office in Hanoi, that demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to promoting multilateralism, and upholding the United Nations Charter and principles of international law, including the peaceful settlement of international disputes, said Son.

The diplomat expressed his hope that the Rep. Office would bring the PCA closer to countries in the region, creating conditions for other countries and organizations and individuals to access the PCA’s dispute resolution services amid growing demand.

He proposed that through the operation of the Rep. Office, the two sides strengthen cooperation in human resources training to enhance the capacity of Vietnamese officials, civil servants and lawyers.

For his part, PCA Secretary General Marcin Czepelak affirmed that the opening of the PCA Rep. Office in Hanoi is an important milestone in the extensive and effective cooperation partnership between the two sides over the years.

This is an important step in Vietnam’s international integration, demonstrating its role and position as an active and responsible member of the international community that actively promotes the compliance with international law and peaceful settlement of disputes, said Czepelak.

He said he believes that the Rep. Office in Vietnam will operate efficiently to help maintain and enhance the PCA’s image as an important international dispute settlement body, especially for countries and organizations and individuals in the region.

More than 40 ambassadors, heads of representative offices of countries and international organizations in Hanoi and representatives of a number of law firms attended the ceremony.

Source: VOV