PM highlights importance of marine economic development

Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Speaking at the ceremony, the PM addressed that coastal countries regard marine economic development in accordance with protecting the environment and ensuring maritime security as strategic priorities.

The cooperation and formation of an economic connection block between coastal nations have become the global trend, he added.

Viet Nam has enhanced marine economic cooperation with a number of countries, including Portugal and coordinated with 11 nations in the Asia Pacific including Japan, the US, Australia and Canada to complete the Trans-Pacific Partnership, he revealed, adding that the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement will be inked soon.

These agreements are closely connected with the marine economic development, he asserted.

At present, around a half of marine commodities are transported through the navigation route connecting Northeast Asia with Europe. However, in the East Sea, large-scale construction of reef islands is violating international law, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) and other regional agreements, reducing trust among nations and seriously threatening peace, stability, aviation and navigation security, safety and freedom, he said.

The Vietnamese PM proposed the international community demand an immediate end to these illegal acts, dispute settlement with peaceful measures and strict adherence to international law, especially the UNCLOS and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, preventing any actions to complicate the situation.

PM Dung suggested cooperating in marine economic development and protecting the marine environment for the sake of all the nations and their people.

Portuguese PM Pedro Passos Coelho praised the attendance of the Vietnamese PM at the opening ceremony of the forum, saying it will contribute to the success of the event.

He expected that the forum will make crucial contribution to promoting the cooperation in marine economics between Portugal and Viet Nam, bringing benefits for both.

The forum is part of the Blue Week Lisbon 2015, held from June 3-5, attracting the participation of representatives from nearly 200 groups, companies, research institutes and technology centers involving maritime issues.