Vietnam is speeding up a programme to educate fishermen about its territorial waters in order to prevent them facing punishment for violating the sovereignty of other countries, said an official.
Major-General Nguyen Van Hien, Vice Admiral, Vietnamese Navy Commander cum Deputy Minister of National Defence talked on the sidelines of the 5th ASEAN Naval Chiefs’ Meeting
Major-General Nguyen Van Hien, Vice Admiral, Vietnamese Navy Commander cum Deputy Minister of National Defence told DTiNews on the sidelines of the 5th ASEAN Naval Chiefs’ Meeting that he has directly discussed this issue with his counterparts in Indonesia and Malaysia, where Vietnamese fishermen often face the harshest punishments.
One concern is that many Vietnamese fishermen have been threatened or have their assets confiscated after they have crossed into foreign territorial waters. What has the navy done to help them?
Both Vietnamese authorities and the Navy have been speeding up a programme to educate fishermen about the need to be aware of what constitutes our territorial waters in order to prevent them facing punishment for violating the sovereignty of other countries.
During talks with regional commanders, I have directly discussed this issue with our counterparts in Indonesia and Malaysia. I have told them that almost all Vietnamese fishermen are unaware of what constitutes our territorial waters. They have violated the sovereignty of other countries due to ignorance, not through intention.
Vietnam is currently implementing a separate agreement with the two countries in order to support each other in educating their fishermen and carrying out joint patrols to avoid possible misunderstandings. After discussions with the Vietnamese Navy, both Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed not to apply severe punishments to Vietnamese fishermen who have crossed into their territorial waters.
Did the 5th ASEAN Naval Chief\'s Meeting discuss the wider issue of sovereignty violations in the East Sea?
A navy is tasked with managing a country’s territorial waters and affirming the nation’s sovereignty. As part of this meeting’s framework, the Vietnamese Navy has discussed the issue separately with concerned parties.
All concerning parties have come into an agreement that any dispute should be resolved based on international law and the guidelines for the implementation of 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). The guidelines were agreed by ASEAN member states and China in Bali in June 2011. In relations to the DOC, any dispute should be resolved by peaceful negotiations.
Like you said, naval forces play a key role in protecting territorial waters. The meeting is expected to foster a common ASEAN strength in this sensitive area. What are your comments on this issue?
ASEAN naval co-operation is of great importance. Previously, issues related to territorial waters were considered sensitive and we just organised naval forums but not meetings. This was because forums simply provided ASEAN nations with an opportunity to meet each other. The forums were not organised very often. However, this year, we have developed them into an official ASEAN Naval Chiefs’ Meeting, which has been warmly welcomed by regional countries.
I must say that the Vietnamese Navy has opened a new chapter in ASEAN naval co-operation, particularly in a context where maritime security has become a key concern not only to countries with a direct connection to the East Sea. This meeting is aimed at consolidating a new ASEAN naval security structure, which is expected to greatly contribute to regional security.
Which initiatives Vietnam has proposed at this meeting?
Vietnam has proposed two initiatives. The first included a direction for naval development over the next two to five years as a foundation for long-term naval development. Another proposal suggested exchanges between young regional naval officers and for those with captain rank and above.
In addition, in order to avoid possible clashes while operating in the sea, the Vietnamese Navy proposed that ASEAN naval ships and planes that meet each other at sea should have call-signs to greet each other in order to foster friendship and prevent avoidable conflicts.
Vietnamese fishermen violated the sovereignty of other countries due to ignorance, not through intention
