Vietnam has officially recognized the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in the Netherlands as having binding authority to settle international disputes spanning a wide range of legal issues.

The court’s jurisdiction includes the resolution of disputes arising from international treaties and other agreements to arbitrate, including those over territorial and maritime boundaries, sovereignty, human rights, international investment (investor-state arbitrations), and matters concerning international and regional trade.

The official acknowledgement was ceremoniously celebrated at a signing ceremony on June 23 in Hanoi at which Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and PCA Secretary General Hugo Siblesz signed the Host Country Agreement and Exchange Letters on Cooperation between Vietnam and PCA.

Speaking at the ceremony, Siblesz said the recognition of the PCA will help Vietnam better access arbitration procedures, enhance law enforcement and contribute to the peaceful resolution of disputes in the region.

Minh highly valued the PCA’s role in assisting countries in handling disputes peacefully and expressed hope that Vietnam’s signing an agreement recognising the court’s legal status and exchange letters on cooperation will help boost ties between the two sides.

He also voiced Vietnam’s hope to receive the PCA’s assistance in training and enhancing the capacity of Vietnamese legal staff, to meet the country’s development requirements during international integration.

PCA – is an inter-governmental organisation with 115 member countries – was established in 1899 according to the Hague Convention to deal with the resolution of disputes by peaceful solutions. Vietnam joined the convention on December 29, 2011.

VOV/VNN