Hanoi (VNA) –🐈 The Border Guard High Command and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) have reviewed their five-year coordination in ensuring security and safety for oil and gas operations, and protecting national sovereignty, security, and social order and safety in border areas.

The October 18 review conference pointed out that the complex developments in the East Sea have significantly hindered efforts in protecting sovereignty and maintaining security and order in maritime border areas, and affected Petrovietnam’s operations, as well as security and safety of offshore oil and gas facilities and activities. Over the past five years, units under both sides have seriously implemented the coordination mechanism, contributing to security and safety of oil and gas operations and the protection of sovereignty, security, and social order and safety in sea border areas. The two sides have closely combined their routine tasks with the responsibilities outlined in the mechanism and given advice to local authorities, thereby raising awareness among political organisations and the public of protecting national sovereignty, assets, and gas facilities at sea. However, the work still faces a host of challenges, such as low awareness among a number of fishermen, limited equipment and resources in service coordination efforts, and unfeasible regulations for the handling of violating fishing vessels. The Border Guard High Command forecasts that the disputes in the East Sea and Vietnam’s territorial waters will continue to develop in a complex and unpredictable manner, impacting maritime economic growth as well as security and safety of navigation. Additionally, violations of safety corridors around oil and gas infrastructure are expected to persist in various new forms, while the use of explosives in fishing remains a significant risk. Therefore, it said, the two sides need to further direct their units to seriously put in place the coordination mechanism, sketch out plans for patrols and inspections, as well as those on communications and training to popularise relevant legal regulations. They should also conduct joint patrols and inspections to respond promptly to emerging incidents, and follow the Party’s foreign policy, the State’s laws, and international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory. In addition, they need to step up the exchange of information, especially concerning oil and gas activities in sensitive maritime areas and key facilities, supplement plans and strategies, and stay prepared in terms of personnel and equipment to respond to any potential security threats to oil and gas plants and facilities. The Border Guard High Command and Petrovietnam signed a coordination mechanism to carry out tasks related to ensuring security for oil and gas operations and protecting sovereignty, security, social order, and safety in sea border areas for the 2024–2029 period./.