Belgrade (VNA) – Vietnamese ViceChairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Tong Thi Phong proposed measures topromote respect for international law while addressing a plenum of the 141stAssembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-141) on October 15.

The IPU-141, themed “Strengthening internationallaw: Parliamentary roles and mechanisms, and the contribution of regionalcooperation”, is taking place in Belgrade, Serbia, with the participation of 80top legislators and heads of delegations and more than 1,700 parliamentariansfrom 150 member parliaments, along with representatives of internationalorganisations.

In her speech, Phong noted complex security andpolitical developments, racial and religious conflicts, non-traditionalsecurity risks, and increasing terrorism, extremism and insular nationalism aroundthe world. She attributed the situation to the increase of unilateral actionsthat are not based on legal orders regulated in universal internationalconventions and violate the common principles of international law and theUnited Nations Charter, which are threatening peace that humankind has beenstriving to maintain.

The situation needs coordination at multiplelevels, including the engagement of multilateral institutions and particularlythe IPU, the Vice Chairwoman said.

Sheapplauded the IPU-141’s theme, which highlights the IPU’s resolve and actionsto enhance the role of international law – the principle to regulateinternational relations and the basis to boost global governance and equalcooperative ties among countries, regardless of how big or small they are.

The official emphasised that Vietnampersistently pursue a foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, andrespects multilateralism, the rule of law and the common principles ofinternational relations. It pays special attention to the maintenance ofinternational order based on rules, common agreements and conventions among countries.

The country always adheres to regulations ofuniversal international agreements such as the 1982 UN Convention on the Law ofthe Sea (UNCLOS) and settles disputes by peaceful measures on the basis oninternational law, Phong said, adding that it has also taken part in manymultilateral treaties within the framework of the UN and other internationalorganisations.

Vietnam will serve as a non-permanent member ofthe UN Security Council for 2020-2021, ASEAN Chair in 2020 and Chair of theASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) for 2019-2020, she said.

Therefore, the country will continue helping topromote multilateralism and fair and equal dialogue, settle global issues andregional conflicts, and foster peace on the basis of international law, whileenhancing regional cooperation in perfecting mechanisms for ensuring equitableand balanced interests for all relevant parties, the Vice Chairwoman noted.

Suggesting ways to boost respect forinternational law, she said respect for the UN Charter, as well as thecompliance with international law and common principles and standards of conduct,must be reinforced at global, regional and national levels.

Itis necessary to expand and bring into play the role of cooperation, dialogueand information sharing mechanisms to improve mutual understanding, trust andrespect to seek peaceful solutions to regional disputes and urgent challenges,Phong said.

Parliaments should also step up the ratificationand participation of international treaties and agreements and multilaterallegal documents; align their countries’ laws with international treaties theyhave engaged in; and increase monitoring the implementation of importantagreements reached through multilateral negotiations, she said.

Phong also called for parliamentary diplomacy tobe supported and the IPU’s role to be further promoted for the sake of globalpeace and democracy.

Additionally, she underlined the need tostrengthen the IPU’s cooperation mechanisms with its member parliaments, the UNand international organisations, with a focus on sustainable development,poverty reduction, nutrition, gender equality, youth participation, managementand sustainable use of natural resources, and connectivity among countries andparliaments in making policies on climate change response.

Sharing the Vietnamese official’s view, otherdelegates at the IPU-141’s plenary session also highlighted the importance ofinternational law while condemning the violations and disregard for it, sayingthose actions are harmful to peace, security and development cooperation.

They stressed the IPU’s tasks and role insupervising and maintaining international law, asking the union to formsustainable mechanisms and solutions to ensure strict adherence tointernational law, especially the UN Charter, the International Human RightsConventions, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and theUNCLOS, because it is the only legal tool to resolve conflicts and disputes./.