The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Wallonia-Brussels Delegation of Belgium co-host the workshop on cooperation for border, sea, island peace and development. (Photo: seatimes.vn)

In his opening remarks, Nguyen Minh Vu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Chairman of the National Border Committee, said that the topic of the workshop reflects the objective and urgent need of international cooperation on borders, seas, islands, peace and development.

He emphasized the role of international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, creating a solid basis for international cooperation activities on sea and islands.

Pierre Du Ville, Chief Representative of the Walloon-Bruxelles Delegation to Vietnam, welcomed Vietnam's efforts and results in cooperation with neighboring countries on territorial borders.

Participants discussed the experiences of Belgium and Canada in resolving and managing land border issues, and the experience of cooperation at Ban Gioc-Detian Waterfall between Vietnam and China; legal framework to identify overlapping maritime areas and rights and obligations in these areas; measures to ensure sustainable management of marine resources and transparency in marine management.