Asean Ministers Emphasized On Peaceful Resolution Of South China Sea From Rohani Mohd Ibrahim

Asean Ministers Emphasized On Peaceful Resolution Of South China Sea

From Rohani Mohd Ibrahim

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 11 (Bernama) -- The Asean Ministers Meeting In Preparation for the 22nd Asean Summit Thursday emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, mutual trust and cooperation to enhance maritime security and ensure peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea, a statement from Brunei Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry said.

The statement which was issued after the two-day meeting ended today, said ensuring peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea is in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

"The Asean Ministers also reiterated the need for all parties to exercise self-restraint in conducting activities that would complicate or escalate disputes.

"The ministers further reiterated their statement on the six-point principles on the South China Sea and emphasised the need to maintain momentum on dialogue and consultations following the positive outcome of the 19th Asean-China Senior Officials Consultations," it added.

The statement said the ministers tasked their Senior Officials to work actively with China on the way forward for the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct on the basis of consensus.

On the last day of the meeting today, Brunei's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah chaired three meetings which included Asean Ministerial Meeting, the 9th Asean Political and Security Community Council (APSC) and the 12th Asean Coordinating Council in preparation for the 22nd Asean Summit on April 24 and 25.

All the meetings were held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) here.

Malaysia's Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahman represented Malaysia in all three meetings.

Besides peaceful resolution for South China Sea, the statement said, the meetings today also discussed the progress made since the 21st Asean Summit in November 2012, and also exchanged views on regional and international matters of mutual interest.

"This include political and security cooperation, the widening acceptance of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South East Asia, ongoing work on the publication of the Asean Security Outlook and received reports from various Asean bodies for submission to the Asean leaders," it said.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement earlier today, the Brunei Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry said, last night Prince Mohamed Bolkiah hosted a dinner for the Asean Foreign Ministers, at the ICC here.

During the dinner, he briefed colleagues and the new Asean Secretary-general Le Luong Ming on the preparations for the 22nd Asean Summit.

--BERNAMA