(VNA) - A Vietnamese representative to the United Nations has called for closer cooperation with international partners to fight piracy.

Speaking at the Open Debate of the United Nations Security Council on “the Threat to International Peace and Security by Acts of Maritime Piracy” in New York on November 19, Ambassador Le Hoai Trung said that Vietnam has actively contributed to regional efforts against piracy, including technical cooperation between ASEAN and 8 other countries, within the framework of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP) through its Information Sharing Centre. “Vietnam attaches great importance to maritime security in the East Sea in general and piracy in particular,” he affirmed. The country’s legal system provides for the criminalization of piracy, especially with the newly promulgated Law of the Sea, he said, adding that the coordination of national anti-piracy activities was streamlined with the issuance of a Prime Minister decision in January 2008, on the basis of which Vietnam authorities, including the Maritime Police, are participating in regional mechanisms. Vietnam’s Navy has also taken part in joint exercises on fighting piracy with other international partners in recent years, said Trung. “Vietnam looks forward to closer cooperation with other partners in the common cause to fight piracy,” the diplomat stressed. The debate, which was held in the context of increasing attacks by pirates in the world, drew the participation of representatives from 41 countries and regional and international organizations.