VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam and China concluded a working-level negotiation on marine issues in Hanoi on August 1, reaching a consensus to solve East Sea issues through peaceful measures.

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nguyen Phuong Nga, made the statement in Hanoi on August 3 in response to reporters’ questions on the 7^th round of negotiations on the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea issues between Vietnam and China.

“After seven rounds of negotiations, the two sides have reached a preliminary consensus on some principles, such as to solve disputes in East Sea through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982,” Nga said.

She added that the two parties agreed to strictly follow the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), not to launch any action to complicate disputes and not to use force or threaten the use of force. Those issues which are related to Vietnam and China will be solved bilaterally, while those issues related to other parties should be put into discussion among concerned parties.

“The two sides also agreed to hold the next negotiation round later in the year and the concrete timetable will be set through diplomatic channels,” the spokesperson said.

VietNamNet/VNA