VietNamNet Bridge – Speaking to the media on the sideline of the NA session, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said the Government would take all measures to protect fishermen.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

After Chinese vessels seriously rammed a Vietnamese fishing boat in the East Sea, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested the act but China denied the allegations and made false accusations against Vietnam. So what will we do next to resolve this matter?

We must continue the diplomatic fight. The spokesman of the Foreign Ministry of Vietnam clearly stated that the area where the incident occurred is entirely within the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf of Vietnam. The Chinese vessels hampering Vietnamese fishermen from fishing is the violation of international principle.

After the Law on the Sea of Vietnam was passed last year, collision with China in the sea happened more and more, more serious and the attitude of China is increasingly unruly, however, our response is still limited?

Our principle is to protect fishermen. These behaviors with fishermen are so serious. When these things happened, we opposed. In the fishing grounds, if there are violations in our waters, relevant forces will have responsibility to protect.

Report on the opinions of deputies at group discussions showed concerns about the situation in the East Sea. They asked the government to have more assertive attitude and stronger measures. What is your opinion?

Recently, tension in the East Sea has increased. The East Sea issue has always been reported in the National Assembly sessions. Deputies worried about all the problems of the country, including the East Sea conflict.

We adopted the Law of the Sea in 2012 and are continuing enforcement of this Law. For disputes over the East Sea, the government's stance is clear: resolving the conflict through peaceful dialogue, respecting the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

It's the foreign policy, and fishermen have rights to catch fish in the waters of Vietnam. We will continue to protect fishermen legally by all measures.

Diplomatic struggling are measures in peacetime and always the measure used by all countries. The dispute over the sea not only involves Vietnamese fishermen but also fishermen of other countries in the region. We use diplomacy and all possible peaceful means.

Some NA deputies said that in the economic-social report of the Government, the East Sea situation is vague, with insufficient information?

The government has been asked to make additional report, depending on the NA’s agenda.

Which message that the Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s attendance and speaking of -- at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore from 31/5 will be conveyed?

Vietnam has joined this ministerial forum for years, but this year the Prime Minister attends and speaks as a keynote speaker.

The topic of Shangri-La Dialogue is peace and security in the region and the PM’s speech at the opening session revolves around this topic, and the policies of Vietnam.

The parties will discuss all relevant issues, including the East Sea issue. There will be a number of bilateral meetings.

Besides, Vietnam participates in all regional forum with an active view.

Noted by Chung Hoang