Satisfactory settlement of sea issues is crucial for bilateral ties

The two leaders reviewed the multi-faced cooperation between the two nations since the 6^th meeting of the Steering Committee in May 2013 and worked out areas for future cooperation.

Both supposed that the healthy and sustainable relationship is in line with the aspiration and benefits of the two peoples and for the sake of regional peace, stability and development.

They vowed to strictly realize their high-ranking leaders' agreements and common perception, consolidate and enhance the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

They agreed to create favorable conditions for the bilateral cooperation, accelerate the effective implementation of the action program on the Viet Nam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, soon establish joint working groups on infrastructure and on currency to promote cooperation in the fields.

They were unanimous in seriously realizing three documents on Viet Nam-China land border, jointly dealing with emerging issues on border management in a timely manner.

Both sides believed that satisfactory settlement of maritime issues is crucial for the bilateral ties.

The two sides will seriously carry out the common perception of the two Parties and the States' leaders in accordance with the Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea issues between Viet Nam and China and beef up negotiation mechanisms for sea-related issues.

They reached a consensus to accelerate joint surveys at sea off the Gulf of Tonkin based on the principles of starting small and progressing one step at a time, thus advancing the negotiations on the delineation of the sea and promoting development cooperation in these waters, as agreed by PM Nguyen Tan Dung and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at their meeting in Milan, Italy, on October 16, 2014.

Deputy PM, FM Minh asserted that Viet Nam attaches importance to the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, adding that the two nations need to deploy effectively agreements reached during the official visit of Mr. Le Hong Anh, Special Envoy of the Party General Secretary to China in August 2014 on restoring exchanges and cooperation, effectively controlling sea-related divergences, and avoiding actions that may complicate and broaden disputes.

Deputy PM, FM Minh reaffirmed that Viet Nam prioritizes the use of peaceful measures to settle the East Sea issue with China based on the high-ranking leaders' common perception, the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).

Mr. Yang Jiechi stated that Viet Nam and China were important neighbors and the Chinese Party, Government and people attach importance to the relations with Viet Nam.

Thanks to joint efforts, the two countries have overcome recent difficulties and the bilateral ties are gradually being restored, the Chinese State Councilor said.

The two countries need to strictly follow the directions for cooperation development and appropriately settle and control sea divergences so as to create a favorable environment for bilateral cooperation, he added.

He pledged to instruct relevant Chinese agencies in realizing agreements reached during the meeting.

After the meeting, the two leaders witnessed the signing of the minutes of the 7th meeting of the Viet Nam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.

By Thuy Dung

(http://www.chinhphu.vn)