Berlin (VNA) – German experts have hailed the initiatives to respondto maritime security challenges that Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhproposed at the UN Security Council High-level Open Debate on “EnhancingMaritime Security – A Case for International Cooperation” on August 9.

Talking to Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents inBerlin, Dr. Gerhard Will, an former expert on the East Sea at the German institutefor political science, said that the speech once again affirms Vietnam’s viewpoint and policy in ensuring maritime security and peacefully addressingconflicts at sea, as well as proposing specific solutions in this regard. This showsthe country’s important role in maintaining peace, stability and maritimesecurity in the region.

According to him, maritime security is a very importantissue for Vietnam because it has wide waters, a long coastline, and an economythat is highly dependent on import and export activities and closely linkedwith the world economy.

Commenting on the Vietnamese PM’s proposals, the German expert said that theyare very appropriate and practical, demonstrating Vietnam’s initiative,positivity and high sense of responsibility in dealing with common challenges.

Vietnam understands that maritime security is a common issuethat cannot be solved by a single country, but requires regional and internationalcooperation and consensus, and international law, especially sea-related law,is a very important legal basis and the foundation for settling conflicts andmaintaining security and stability in seas, he shared.

Will also appreciated Vietnam’s proposal to establish anetwork of regional maritime security mechanisms and initiatives coordinated bythe United Nations to enhance the sharing of information and experience, and coordinationto promptly respond to common global challenges.

Sharing the same view, Prof. Thomas Engelbert from the Asia- Africa Institute under the Hamburg University of Germany stated that Vietnam- one of the main stakeholders in disputes in the East Sea - plays an importantrole in the peaceful settlement of this issue.

So far, every initiative that Vietnam has made has aimed at seeking a peaceful solution to or peacefully addressing disputes, he stressed.

According to him, the Southeast Asian country’s proposals atthe UNSC always aim at promoting security and ensuring stability at sea andmaritime freedom in the region.

In order to ensure and maintain maritime security, he suggestedrelevant countries respect international law, especially the 1982 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.