Vietnam hopes that the US will have a stronger
voice and take more practical actions to contribute to peace, stability,
security, and maritime safety in the region, and to settling regional disputes
in line with international law.
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International press conference in Hanoi, 5 June 2014
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Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh was
responding to a question from a Washington Times correspondent
on the US’s role in supporting Vietnam in protecting its sovereignty.
Maintaining peace, stability and security, and
maritime safety in the region is the interest and responsibility of all parties
concerned in the region and beyond, Binh told an international press conference
in Hanoi on June 5.
In recent years, he said together with the
international community, the US – a global power and a powerhouse in the
Asia-Pacific region – have raised their voice, contributing to peace, stability
and maritime security in the region, and to settling the current tensions.
Answering a question from Japan’s Kyodo news
agency correspondents, Binh welcomed the Group of 7 leaders’ June 4 statement,
in which the leaders of the seven industrialised nations expressed their deep
concern about the recent tensions in the East and East China Seas.
They voiced their opposition to any unilateral
attempt by any party to assert its territorial or maritime claims through the
use of intimidation, coercion or force.
“We do hope foreign countries and international
organisations will have a strong voice and take practical actions to contribute
to peace and security in the region, and to handling disputes in accordance
with international law,” Binh said.
Regarding the use of the hotline between Vietnam
and China to settle the territorial dispute in the East Sea, Binh said the
hotline can only operate effectively when both sides show goodwill towards each
other and desire to deal with the case peacefully.
Vietnam has made every effort to hold dialogue
with China, but when goodwill comes from one side only, the hotline and efforts
come to nothing, he said.
Source: VOV
