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Dutch expert: Law should resolve conflict rather than create problem

CCTV.com

07-13-2016 12:56 BJT

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A Dutch law expert has expressed surprise at the arbitration award. Tom Zwart is a professor of law at Utrecht University.  He advocates diplomacy rather than international arbitration.  He also calls for applying the legal principle of neutrality. Zwart believes the decision will not gain support in Asia.

"Instead of resolving conflict, which I think is the duty of law, this particular decision and the treaty on which it is based has now become part of the problem in Asia. I did not like the fact that the tribunal establishes jurisdiction, and I did not like the fact that the tribunal went along the same path today in its award. Now we have to have a level and cool head and try to return to the issues." "We should try to find Asian solutions for Asian problems. So let us just try to keep away from the tribunal, and other courts and quasi-judicial tribunals as much as can, and try to set our eyes on diplomacy and political solutions,"  Zwart said.

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