MALAYSIA, VIETNAM TO BRING UNDERSTANDING REACHED OVER SEA CLAIMS TO UN

From Khairdzir Yunus

JEJU ISLAND (South Korea), June 2 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Vietnam Monday
agreed to lodge with the United Nations under the UN Convention on the Law of
the Sea, (UNCLOS) the understanding reached on their limits of continental shelf
in the South China Sea.

Prime Minister Najib Razak said the understanding meant that both
had territorial claims in the South China Sea which would be brought to the
international level to be resolved under international law.

Najib was speaking to Malaysian journalists following his bilateral meeting
with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, here, Monday.

Both leaders are at this resort island with other Asean leaders for the
two-day Asean-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, which began on Monday.

Najib said his Vietnamese counterpart was satisfied with the level of
cooperation and understanding thus far between the two countries.


He said the understanding reached between Malaysia and Vietnam over the
overlapping sea claims was a measure of success in their bilateral relations.

"We are using international law to resolve the issue. We understand that
there may be some differing opinions from China or the Philippines but these can
be discussed and resolved in accordance with the principles and mechanisms under
the international maritime law," he said.

Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei have
overlapping claims over a certain area including the Spratly Islands in the
South China Sea, said to be rich in gas and oil, besides being important for its
strategic location.

Vietnam and Malaysia were among the countries which had brought their claims
over the disputed area to the United Nations under UNCLOS, the international
maritime legal instrument, but China was reported to have objected to the claims
by Malaysia and Vietnam.

Asked whether Malaysia would counter China's objection, Najib said:
"...there are mechanisms for us to discuss with China and I do not think it will
affect our bilateral ties with China."


Asked on the mechanism to divide the limits of continental shelf with
Vietnam, he said: "We have a broad understanding based on the joint submission
with Vietnam."

On other matters discussed with Nguyen Tan Dung, Najib said the Vietnamese
prime minister said he was happy if Malaysia was keen to develop Vietnam's
industrial parks like other countries such as Singapore had done.

Najib said Malaysia would study whether to participate in opening up or
developing industrial areas in Vietnam.

He said the Vietnamese prime minister was also satisfied with the interest
of Malaysian companies to invest in Vietnam, including building the
Intercontinental Hotel, a major hotel in Hanoi.

"He also hoped that I will make an official visit to Vietnam soon," Najib
said.

The Malaysian prime Minister had a tight schedule Monday, including
exclusive interviews by South Korea's "Diplomacy" magazine published in Seoul,
English TV channel Arirang and the country's news agency Yonhap, one after the
other before receiving a courtesy call from the Vietnamese prime minister.

Najib then visited the resort site here being developed by Berjaya
Corporation, a Malaysian company, before receiving a courtesy call from
Malaysia-Korea business leaders.

He then delivered a keynote address at the close of the Asean-Korea CEO
Summit and held a press conference for Malaysian journalists before attending
the first session of the Asean-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit, followed
by a dinner function hosted by South Korean President Lee Myung Bak.

On his visit to the Berjaya Resort Jeju, Najib said the resort covering 73.2
hectares, would be among the biggest tourism projects in Asia. It will have a
convention centre, two international-class hotels and villas for guests.

"Such a development shows the capability of Malaysian companies to be global
players in the industry, and I hope other Malaysian companies would seek such
opportunities to make Malaysia among the biggest investors in the world," he
said.

-- BERNAMA