ASEAN confirms East Sea related commitments

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong announced ASEAN's six-point principles on the East Sea at a press briefing in Phnom Penh, Cambodia yesterday.

According to Hor Nam Hong, after discussions, ASEAN's Foreign Ministers reaffirmed the commitments made by ASEAN's member states to:

1. fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (2002);

2. introduce guidelines for the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (2011);

3. make an early conclusion to a Regional Code of Conduct in the East Sea;

4. fully respect the universally recognised principles of International Law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS);

5. continue to exercise self-restraint and non-use of force by all parties; and

6. seek the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with universally recognised principles of International Law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers resolved to intensify ASEAN consultations in the advancement of the above principles, consistent with the Treaty of Amity and Co-operation in Southeast Asia (1976) and the ASEAN Charter (2008).

This was announced after the 45th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting that concluded in Phnom Penh on July 13 failed to issue a joint communique due to differences on mentioning the dispute about the East Sea. The host country Cambodia refused to include in the document despite the fact that the Philippines and Viet Nam raised the issue at the meetings.

Hor Namhong said the latest announcement was the outcome of consultations between ASEAN's Foreign Ministers after Indonesian FM Marty Natalegawa held diplomatic activities with his ASEAN counterparts. These included direct meetings with the foreign ministers of Viet Nam, the Philippines and Cambodia, to reach a consensus on their common positions on this issue. — VNA