(VOVworld) Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi has responded to reporters’ question on Vietnam’s view regarding a large number of Chinese fishing vessels continuously present in the East Sea and preventing fishing vessels of other countries to operate.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi  (source: chinhphu.vn)

Nghi was speaking at a press briefing on Thursday:“All activities by related parties, including fishing in the East Sea, must comply with international laws, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and in line with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea while respecting national territorial sovereignty rights for peace, stability, environmental protection and the preservation of maritime resources”   

Vietnam has nominated Deputy Foreign Minister Le Luong Minh to the post of Secretary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the 2013-2017 term. Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi said the nomination was made at the recent 45th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Cambodia.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed their support for the Vietnamese candidacy and agreed to submit their recommendation at the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh in November for approval. Once designated, Minh will take over the responsibility of an ASEAN Secretary to promote the bloc’s common goals, especially the establishment of the ASEAN Community. He will also be responsible for strengthening regional links and fostering relations between ASEAN and its partners, as well as effectively dealing with newly-emerging challenges for the sake of peace, stability, security, cooperation and development in the region.