ASEAN voices serious concerns over developments in East Sea
VGP – ASEAN leaders have shared the serious concerns on the land reclamation being undertaken in the East Sea, which has eroded trust and confidence and may undermine peace, security and stability in the East Sea.
The concerns were expressed in the Chairman’s Statement of the 26th ASEAN Summit which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 27.
According to the Statement, ASEAN leaders instructed our Foreign Ministers to urgently address this matter constructively including under the various ASEAN frameworks such as ASEAN-China relations, as well as the principle of peaceful co-existence.
The leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight over the East Sea.
They also emphasized the need for all parties to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea in its entirety: to build, maintain and enhance mutual trust and confidence; exercising self-restraint in the conduct of activities; to not to resort to threat or use of force; and for the parties concerned to resolve their differences and disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
While noting the progress made in the consultations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea, ASEAN urged that consultations be intensified, to ensure the expeditious establishment of an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea.”
In his opening speech at the plenary session of the 26th ASEAN Summit, Malaysian PM Najib Razak said ASEAN needs to peacefully manage differences closer to home, including overlapping maritime claims, without increasing tensions. Recent developments have raised concerns about the East Sea – and given the importance of its sea lanes to international trade, it is natural that almost any occurrence there will attract attention. ASEAN must address these developments in a proactive, but also in a positive and constructive way.
He also stated that respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, must be the basis of the rules of engagement and activities in the East Sea.
As Chairman, Malaysia hopes that we will achieve progress in our efforts towards the early conclusion of a Code of Conduct, he said./.
By Hai Minh
