VietNamNet Bridge – For the first time since 1995, ASEAN issued a stand-alone Statement on a complicated situation threatening peace, maritime security and safety in the East Sea. The East Sea issue is also included in other important documents of the 24th ASEAN Summit.

ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement

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ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed their serious concerns over the on-going developments in the East Sea, which have increased tensions in the area. They urged all parties concerned, in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions which could undermine peace and stability in the area; and to resolve disputes by peaceful means without resorting to threat or use of force.

They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability, maritime security, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the East Sea as well as the ASEAN’s Six-Point Principles on the East Sea and the Joint Statement of the 15th ASEAN-China Summit on the 10th Anniversary of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

They also called on all parties to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) to undertake full and effective implementation of the DOC in order to create an environment of mutual trust and confidence. They emphasized the need for expeditiously working towards an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Chairman’s Statement

ASEAN leaders expressed serious concerns over the on-going developments in the East Sea. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability, maritime security, freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the East Sea.

They called on all parties to the DOC to undertake full and effective implementation of the DOC in its entirety in order to create an environment of mutual trust and confidence; to exercise self-restraint, not to resort to threat or use of force, and to resolve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with the universally recognized principles of international law, including the UNCLOS.

They emphasized the need for expeditiously working towards an early conclusion of the COC. In this regard, they noted the importance of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the current developments in the East Sea issued on 10th May 2014 at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Nay Pyi Taw Declaration

To strengthen cooperation for the full and effective implementation of the DOC, in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law including the UNCLOS, especially calling on all parties to exercise self-restraint and non-use of force, as well as refrain from taking actions that would further escalate tension and to work towards an early conclusion of the COC as reflected in the ASEAN’s Six-Point Principles on the East Sea.

Speaking at the plenary session of the 24th ASEAN Summit, PM Nguyen Tan Dung requested that ASEAN to include the East Sea issue in the Joint Statement and the Chair Statement of this ASEAN Summit.

Source: VGP