Russian expert talks about sea terrorism

The world community and experts in international sea law must give some serious consideration to the problem of sea terrorism, said Vice Admiral Alexander Pobozhy, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian Navy. Pobozhy is taking part in an international conference dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

According to the vice admiral, thing have reached crisis point in the 20 years that passed since the adoption of the Convention. "While pirates are guided by economic interests, sea terrorists pursue political goals," he said.

Pobozhy also urged the world community to pay more attention to infringements on territorial waters and cases of illegal fishing.

Adopted in 1982, the Convention covers almost every aspect of naval forces' activity in 139 states including Russia. At the same time, according to the vice admiral, "the document should not be a stiff dogma" and must be adjusted to present-day reality.