Iran Press/Asia: Addressing the audience at the closing ceremony of a high-level symposium in the port city of Qingdao in eastern China on Friday 26 April, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi stressed that the security of oceans can only be guaranteed through a collective effort by regional naval powers.
The international symposium marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the Chinese Navy.
Rear Admiral Khanzadi noted the fact that many coastal countries believe that the sea provides an opportunity for development and protecting national interests, saying: "Benefits of the sea to countries and peoples has a strategic aspect and our presence in the high seas is a valuable step for creating a connection with other maritime partners with vast marine facilities and resources", Iran Press reported.
"We believe that no single naval force can establish security in the high seas, and this is a subject which is multidimensional and complex, and both at a global level and at a national level there is a need for collective action and cooperation of the Navies of the world community," he added.
The commander of the Iranian Navy noted the important role played by maritime states and the United Nations to safeguard naval interests and resources and said: "To achieve these goals we must correctly understand the hierarchy of international interests at the sea, as well as taking into consideration the interests of our maritime partners and observing global and regional interests to establish regional security."
Admiral Khanzadi, pointed to the expansion of naval forces in the western Pacific Ocean and the northern Indian Ocean, and said: "Regional naval powers are emerging rapidly and this situation heralds a change in the international maritime order."
The top commander of the Iranian Navy said in order to achieve global coordination vis-a-vis oceans and high seas, and for everyone to benefit from the sea, there is a real need for a strong naval presence at sea, knowledge of maritime conditions, information exchange, regional and global maritime partnerships, the implementation of optimal security arrangements regionally and commitment to the law of the high seas are key elements for creating a global maritime order.
Rear Admiral Khanzandi concluded by saying the security of the oceans will only be established through joint collective efforts of regional naval powers in accordance with international and maritime laws. 101/211/205
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