NON-GOVERNMENTAL DIALOGUE ON TERRITORIAL DISPUTES IN ASIA-PACIFIC REGION. Proceedings of the Third international scientific conference July 6, 2012.

Vladivostok, 2014, 140 p.*;

MARITIME TERRITORIAL DISPUTES IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION AND THE ARCTIC. Collection of materials of the "round table" September 26, 2014

(Vladivostok. Admiral G. I. Nevelsky Maritime State University), 2014, 140 p.

Territorial disputes have existed for perhaps as long as humanity has existed. People have always sought to gain access to new, more fertile lands, mineral, water and other resources, and this desire has almost always been accompanied by conflicts of interest, which often escalated into confrontations and armed conflicts. And at present, despite the seemingly already established map of the world with fairly clear borders of states, territorial disputes not only do not disappear, but, on the contrary, become particularly acute. Since the borders of states are mostly defined, modern territorial claims are mainly not border disputes, but disputes concerning ownership and rights to the continental shelf, water areas, and islands. Almost all of these conflicts are not products of today and can have a very long history. Often, such disagreements could persist in a latent form for quite long periods, and their activation was caused both by well-defined political and economic events in a particular country or region, and by changes in the alignment of international forces.

One of the main factors in the aggravation of territorial disputes is the increasing competition for natural resources in our time. In addition to the economic component (the struggle for access to mineral and biological resources), the political aspect is also important - the desire for a dominant position in a particular region, to weaken existing and potential competitors, to maintain domestic stability by using the image of an "external enemy", etc. At present, almost all of these disputes seem extremely far from being resolved. At the same time, it is obvious that the settlement of such problems should be carried out legally, through bilateral and multilateral negotiations, on the basis of international law, with the possible involvement of intermediaries of disinterested States, intergovernmental and supranational organizations, etc. In this context, the participation of specialists - historians, lawyers, political scientists, and economists-who could contribute to the development of a competent and acceptable solution for all interested parties is extremely necessary.

One of the most significant practical steps in this direction was the long-term project "XXI Century: Development and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region without Territorial Disputes" initiated in 2001 by the Admiral Nevelsky Maritime State University. Various round tables and conferences were held as part of the project. In particular, three international scientific and practical conferences "Non-governmental Dialogue on Territorial Disputes in the Asia-Pacific Region"(2002, 2003 and 2012) were held. The purpose of these events was to make a decision to conduct a comprehensive scientific study to study the possibilities of the Far Eastern region that contribute to the settlement of territorial disputes. The conference participants saw their task in deepening mutual understanding between the peoples of the contending countries, helping to reduce confrontation and resolve territorial disputes through non-governmental dialogue, and developing proposals and recommendations for the Governments of their countries.

* Non-governmental dialogue on territorial disputes in the Asia-Pacific region. Proceedings of the Third International Scientific and Practical Conference July 6, 2012 Vladivostok, 2014, 140 p.

The publication is a collection of materials from the 3rd International Conference "Non-Governmental Dialogue on Territorial Disputes in the Asia-Pacific Region", held on June 6, 2012 in Vladivostok. The conference was attended by Russian researchers and specialists from other countries, including China, Taiwan, Japan, the Republic of Korea, North Korea, Mongolia, and some European countries. The collection contains the texts of reports in English, since the working language of the conference was English.

The collection's articles are devoted to the study of the most significant territorial disputes: disagreements between Russia and Japan over the ownership of part of the Kuril Islands, the problem of the Sino-Korean border, the territorial dispute between China, Japan and Taiwan over the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu), etc.

A significant part of the articles contains an overview of historical facts and circumstances that somehow caused and led to the formation of territorial disputes, and also offers an analysis of the" projection " of these historical factors on the current situation. Thus, in the work of S. Panteleev (Far Eastern Federal University) "Northern Territories: past and present", the question of ownership of the Kuril Islands is presented in historical and legal terms. The article describes the negotiations that took place after the end of World War II between the USSR and the Soviet Union./Russia and Japan, concluded and unsigned treaties, differences in the parties ' approaches to understanding this problem, which have been transformed over time due to changes both within these countries and in the international situation, the significance of the influence of the United States, whose intervention, in the author's opinion, largely contributes to the escalation of Russian-Japanese disagreements on this issue, etc. It leads to such a complication of the situation, which turns the dispute over the Northern Territories into an extremely difficult problem to solve in legal terms. Nevertheless, as the author emphasizes, both Russian and Japanese historians and politicians believe that it is possible and necessary to find ways that will bring the positions of the two countries closer.

The views of Japanese researchers (and Japanese people in general) in this context are reflected in the article by Prof. Suzuki Yasuo (Toyama University of International Studies, Japan) "Is Japan really ready to accept President Putin's proposal?". Emphasizing the fact that there is currently no solution to the issue of the Kuril Islands, the author analyzes the opinion of the Japanese on this issue. In particular, he points out that, contrary to the opinions of Japanese scientists and specialists on Russia, ordinary Japanese tend to view President Putin as pro-Japanese. The Japanese generally welcomed Putin's statement about the need to resume negotiations on this issue. However, the author emphasizes that this is not a matter of the near future, and the negotiation process itself will not be easy.

B. I. Tkachenko (Nevelsky Moscow State University) presented his assessment of this problem in the article "Problematic issues in the Russian-Japanese territorial Dispute". The author offers a detailed overview of the diplomatic and legal aspects of the issue, analyzing in detail the relevant Russian-Japanese agreements, starting with the Shimoda Treaty of 1855 up to the post-war treaties defining the status quo. The researcher emphasizes that there is no practical need to conclude a peace treaty between Russia and Japan almost 70 years after the end of the war.

A number of articles offer an assessment of ways and means of resolving the Russian-Japanese territorial dispute. So, prof. Sugiyama Hideko (Komazawa University, Japan) in his work "Japan and the Kuril Islands Dispute (How the Japanese can settle the Kuril Islands dispute)" notes that Japan after World War II was under the exclusive influence of the United States, and in all social spheres: "The winner (USA) imposed his will on the defeated (Japan)" (p. 62). American economic and cultural influence quickly penetrated and was perceived in Japan. And now, almost 70 years later, Japan remains strongly influenced by the United States, being a "product" of the success of the American soft power policy. At the same time, there is no doubt that a significant proportion of the Japanese population believes that Russian-Japanese relations are far from normal and it is necessary to take measures to improve the situation. At the same time, according to the author, the Japanese government (since 1956) has done almost nothing to resolve the problem. Resolving a dispute involves the interaction of both parties and requires a thorough study of mutual claims, which, of course, will take a long time. The author insists on finding economic solutions with special attention to environmental issues.

On the other hand, A. Karaivanov (Nika Corporation Co., Ltd) in the article "Russian-Japanese economic cooperation and Japan's territorial claims to Russia" points out,

despite the overall increase in trade turnover and the undoubted potential of economic relations between Russia and Japan, many bilateral projects remain unrealized. Tokyo attributes the low activity of economic ties with Russia to the unresolved problem of the "Northern Territories". However, experts ' assessments indicate otherwise, revealing mainly the political background of these processes. According to the author, the normalization of Russian-Japanese economic relations is not connected with either a peace treaty or territorial delimitation and is possible only through an integrated approach and an objective interest of the parties in each other.

A significant part of the articles is devoted to the analysis of territorial differences between the Republic of Korea and the DPRK with neighboring states. Thus, L. V. Zabrovskaya (Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Peoples of the Far East, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) in her work "The Sino-Korean border: history and current situation" examines in detail the formation of the border between China and Korea in the context of interstate relations between these two countries since the XVII century up to the present. The author points out a certain involvement of Japan and Russia in the course of border disputes at different historical stages. According to the researcher, the main reason for the Sino-Korean border problems was the Korean population living in eastern China. Although the border dispute between the PRC and the DPRK has been settled in general, the previous factors of instability remain, affecting the situation in the region.

Lee Taeho (People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Republic of Korea) has written an article entitled "Challenges and Alternatives to the Northern dividing Line: The West Sea, from the Powder Keg to the Eco-Peace Zone on the Korean Peninsula". As the author points out, the reason for the armed conflicts between North and South Korea over the Yellow Sea is the lack of proper demarcation of the border between the two states in this area. The plan proposed in 2007 to prevent collisions in the Yellow Sea and create a special zone of peace and cooperation here was not implemented due to differences in the positions of the parties regarding the area and standards for determining the common fishing zone. And after the Lee Myung-bak administration came to power in South Korea, relations between the two countries further deteriorated and these issues were not discussed at all.

Kim Huisung (People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Republic of Korea), "The US-South Korean Alliance and the Jeju Naval Base: An Overblown Threat and Militarization at Sea," examines the US naval strategy in relation to the construction of an American base on the island of Jaejoong. The article analyzes the transformation of the US-South Korean alliance in the period between the governments of Roh Moo-hyun and Lee Myung-bak in power, with an emphasis on the increasing role of this alliance and the corresponding reaction from the PRC. The author emphasizes that the US policy and the US military presence in the region, as well as the course of the Lee Myung-bak government to strengthen the alliance with the United States, lead to an aggravation of the military conflict between China and the United States and contribute to the growth of militarization in general.

A special place in the work of specialists is given to the problem of belonging to the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu). Au Pak Kuen, Edmund Mok and Tiffany Chen (representatives of several non-governmental organizations in Hong Kong) in their article "Geographical, economic and political tensions in the East China Sea" explore various aspects of the territorial dispute between China, Japan and Taiwan over these islands. As one of the key points that need to be taken into account, the authors cite the" behind-the-scenes " influence of the United States.

A separate page in the history of border conflicts is covered in the article by A. O. Barannikova (Moscow State University named after Adm. G. I. Nevelsky) "Security of the Far Eastern border territories of the Russian Empire (mid-XIX-early XX centuries)". The author points out that immediately before the annexation of the Amur region to the Russian Empire, there were two threats in this region - peaceful (emigration from Asian states) and military. Nevertheless, Russia has managed to solve these problems at various stages of history in one way or another, and the constantly changing situation and nature of threats have contributed to Russia's integration in the Pacific region and cooperation with neighboring States.

Of particular interest is the article by A. Bitabarova (Hokkaido University, Kazakhstan/Japan) "Tajik-Chinese border settlement: a peaceful solution to the long-running Pamir issue". The author examines the procedure for establishing the border between Tajikistan and China, which ended with the ratification of the Tajik-Chinese demarcation Agreement in 2011.

the protocol. The resolution of the "Pamir issue" is an example of how long-standing territorial disputes can be resolved peacefully.

A number of articles in the collection deal with theoretical issues and approaches to assessing political processes, including territorial disputes. A. Golikov (Far Eastern Federal University) "From imperial borders to national borders of Eastern Tartary" notes the importance of taking into account the historical context when defining the concepts of nation, sovereignty, borders, etc.

In the work of Prof. Paul Richardson (Hokkaido University, United Kingdom/Japan) "Sovereignty and Territorial Disputes in the Asia-Pacific region" examines the relationship of disputes over islands and maritime zones in the Asia-Pacific region with the general processes of globalization and changes in the power and influence of regional states. Using the concepts and methods proposed by the English researcher John A. Agnew, the author draws certain historical parallels and points out that territorial disputes are not only a struggle for resources, but also a sign of changes in the regional balance of power and certain changes on a global scale. Understanding these processes is crucial for maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Separate articles are devoted to the role of various organizations in the settlement of disputes between States. In Yoshioka Tatsuya (Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)) "War? Or peaceful cooperation? Contribution of civil society" describes the activities of the Japanese branch of the international non-governmental organization "Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)", which aims to achieve international harmony based on peace building and conflict prevention.

In the article by L. Golobokov (Pacific Fleet of the Russian Federation) " SCO Energy Club: can a non-governmental organization respond to threats to energy security in Central Asia?" The article analyzes the activities of the non-governmental organization SCO Energy Club, established as an advisory body to bring together representatives of relevant departments, research institutions and business circles to solve energy problems of the states of this region.

* * *

Some continuation and development of the issues discussed in the publication described above was given in the collection "Maritime Territorial Disputes in the Asia-Pacific region and the Arctic", which is the materials of the "round table" held on 26.09.2014 in Vladivostok at the Nevelsky Moscow State University within the framework of the project "XXI Century: cooperation and development in the Arctic". Asia-Pacific region without territorial disputes". The authors of the articles pay special attention to the legal, legal and political aspects of the problems under study. Experts focus on maritime territorial disputes, because, on the one hand, this particular variant of interstate disputes and conflicts has recently become increasingly relevant and acute, and on the other hand, it is maritime territorial disputes that are extremely complex, multi - factorial and especially difficult for international legal regulation.

A number of articles in the collection are devoted to theoretical topics, approaches and methods of analysis, assessment, search for solutions and termination of maritime territorial disputes. For example, S. M. Smirnov (Nevelsky Moscow State University) in his work "On some issues of methodology for the settlement of maritime territorial disputes" examines the current and potential ways of regulating territorial conflicts in the world. The author retaliated that for many reasons, territorial disputes, especially maritime disputes, will only become more complicated and aggravated over time. He emphasizes that the universal model of political settlement of territorial and other interstate conflicts and disputes that is currently being applied provides for the participation of the International Court of Justice and other UN structures, the use of intermediaries and mechanisms of "people's diplomacy", and the involvement of supranational regional organizations. At the same time, in almost all the key conflicts of recent decades (Europe, the Middle East), this model, formed in the bowels of Western civilization, has proved ineffective. At the same time, in the Asia-Pacific region, where such international structures of regional security are developed to a much lesser extent, there are no truly armed conflicts in the form of open hostilities caused by

these or other territorial claims are practically not observed. This may be largely due to the specific "Asian" mentality and, in general, differences in the approaches of the leading countries of the Asia-Pacific region to solving political problems. According to the author, in conditions when maritime territorial disputes will continue to be a threat to security and stability in the region, it is necessary to look for broader approaches to conflict resolution, without hesitation to go beyond the existing paradigms.

The article by B. I. Tkachenko (Nevelsky Moscow State University) "Basic norms of international maritime law on the delimitation of marine waters and marine economic possessions" provides a detailed analysis of the existing norms of international maritime law on the delimitation of marine waters, exclusive economic zones and the continental shelf. The author examines almost all existing international regulatory documents, focusing on the nuances and difficulties of law enforcement, taking into account specific circumstances. This article demonstrates the exceptional complexity and multilevel nature of legal procedures related to the delimitation of maritime economic zones and the continental shelf.

A number of key theoretical concepts and concepts, including "state", "territory", "water area", etc., in relation to geopolitics are considered in the article by V. A. Burlakov (Far Eastern Federal University) "Territory and water area of the state: a geopolitical approach". Using specific historical examples and based on approaches and methods proposed by scientists and specialists from various countries and scientific schools, the author characterizes the state as a specifically organized space, as well as as the only universal institution for the implementation of political power today. It is obvious that the correct application of basic terms and concepts is an indispensable condition for competent geopolitical decisions, including in relation to the problem of territorial disputes.

Some of the articles in the collection are devoted to the analysis of some specific territorial disputes in the Asia-Pacific region, which today have acquired the greatest relevance and significance, not only within this region, but also on a global scale. The articles are provided with detailed maps of the relevant regions, which allows you to visualize the situation and more accurately assess the complexity that characterizes the described territorial disputes.

In the work of L. V. Zabrovskaya (Institute of History, Archeology and Ethnography of the Peoples of the Far East, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) " Border discourse in Japanese-South Korean relations: dispute over Dokdo Islands/Takeshima " comprehensively examines the question of ownership of these territories. The author examines in detail the historical arguments used by both sides of the conflict to justify their rights, describes the qualitative transformation of the problem from the actual absence of disagreements between the Republic of Korea and Japan to the sharp escalation of the conflict up to the demonstration of armed force. Of particular interest is the analysis of the reaction and attitude to this confrontation on the part of other states (China, North Korea), which shows that in the modern world any conflict can no longer be considered purely local, but has a certain impact on the global situation. The author emphasizes that currently territorial disputes are complicated by political and economic motives, insists on the need to proceed from existing realities and seek a peaceful settlement of problems based on generally recognized norms of international law.

This topic is also discussed in the article by N. I. Pereslavtsev (Nevelsky Moscow State University) "On Korean-Japanese disagreements over the Liancourt Islands". The author describes in detail the geographical nuances of this problem and carefully examines international treaties, agreements and other documents that the parties to the conflict use to justify their claims and rights. Emphasizing the lack of prospects for bilateral Korean-Japanese contacts on the Dokdo Islands (Takeshima/Liancourt), the researcher considers it appropriate to seek multilateral agreements both in terms of solving security problems on the Korean Peninsula (with the involvement of the DPRK), and for initiating and implementing international integrated projects in the region (including with the possible participation of Russia).

A. O. Barannikova's article "The dispute between China and Vietnam over the ownership of the Paracel Islands"is devoted to one of the oldest but still relevant territorial disputes. The author examines in detail the history of the conflict, characterizes the strategic importance of these islands, and examines the fact that-

tors that make it difficult to resolve this territorial dispute. Of particular interest is the author's analysis of the positions of China and Vietnam, as well as the involvement of the United States in the conflict, which once again indicates the involvement of all modern local disputes in the structure of international relations.

The article by P. Y. Samoylenko (Far Eastern Federal University) "The maritime territorial dispute over the Senkaku-Diaoyu Islands as a manifestation of the information policy of modern states in the Asia-Pacific Region"is devoted to the problem of territorial disputes between China and Japan. Addressing this most relevant territorial problem in the Asia-Pacific region today, the researcher analyzes it from different perspectives and taking into account various factors - geographical, foreign and domestic political, economic, informational, etc. According to the author, from the point of view of modern political processes in the Asia-Pacific region, a very significant aspect of territorial disputes is their certain image character, when deliberate aggravation and development of the conflict are used to demonstrate the readiness of its participants to use specific (up to active pressure) methods. According to experts, the situation around the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands can be considered as a factor influencing the overall military-political tension in Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, one of the main trends in the region is the growth of military spending. Potentially, the territorial dispute may develop into an open armed conflict, in which other parties, primarily the United States, will be involved in addition to the main participants. As the author points out, the most likely way to resolve the problem should be considered the economic path, especially given that, despite all the contradictions, Japan and China are the largest partners in global international trade. The author hopes that in the future, sound pragmatism and the potential of economic cooperation will contribute to the peaceful settlement of this problem.

A number of articles in the collection are devoted to issues that have recently become extremely and increasingly relevant, primarily for Russia. The problem of access to the riches of the Arctic is now particularly acute. Almost all the leading countries of the world, including those that do not have access to the Arctic zone, claim to participate in the development of the resources of these regions. However, insufficient elaboration of the legal framework, unresolved issues, and sometimes simply illiterate, ill-considered actions on the part of politicians and representatives of business circles in various countries lead to periodic exacerbations of the situation and complication of interstate relations.

B. I. Tkachenko's articles ("Problems of delineation of Maritime economic Possessions between Russia and the United States" and "Problems of delineation of Maritime economic Possessions between Russia and Norway") examine in detail various economic and legal aspects of this issue, and consider the formation and evolution of these territorial disputes. The author analyzes the causes of territorial and economic damage suffered by Russia as a result of not always adequate political decisions, makes suggestions and recommendations aimed at defending and protecting Russia's national interests in the Arctic, Pacific and western regional areas. It seems that at present, in the context of the growing attention of the Russian government to the problems of Arctic development, including in terms of financing various scientific, practical and economic projects, the analysis and methods of resolving disagreements proposed by the author on the basis of international law, taking into account the national interests of the participants, are of particular importance for specialists.

In general, it should be noted that both collections are highly informative, rich in factual and analytical data, and extremely competent in their approaches to assessing existing situations and possible scenarios of their development, as well as in finding possible ways to resolve them in order to ensure the interests of all parties and preserve peace and stability in the region under consideration. Undoubtedly, both publications will be useful not only for scientists and specialists involved in the study of international relations in the Asia-Pacific region, but also, above all, for practitioners - politicians, economists, and representatives of the business community, on whose competent and carefully thought-out actions the future of this region largely depends.

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