VietNamNet Bridge – Thailand’s acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow on June 5 granted an exclusive interview to the Viet Nam Government Portal regarding the current developments in the East Sea, on the occasion of his on-going visit to Viet Nam.

Thailand's acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow - Photo: VGP

What is your country’s official stance on the current developments in the East Sea?

As I said that we want to see peace and stability in the South China Sea and we want to encourage all parties concerned to maintain a peaceful environment in the South China Sea. And that’s why any developments, any actions that would further complicate the situation is concern to Thailand even though we are not a party to territorial disputes.

What ASEAN should do to address this issue?

With the recent developments, what we would like to see is dialogue, efforts to promote understanding, efforts to avoid incidents and to exercise self-restraint on the part of the parties concerned.

The recent developments, incidents show why we have to move forward with negotiations, discussions on the Code of Conduct. We have to do two things, the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and we have to move expeditiously in the discussions on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

So what is Thailand’s role in this process?

Thailand, as the coordinator of the ASEAN-China relations, will intend to do our best to move forward these discussions.

It is said that China is building more mobile oil rigs and they may be deployed in the East Sea, so what is your response?

Well, I can only say that any action that would further complicate the situation is something we will concern about.

In your view, what kind of role that China needs to play to better contribute to peace and stability in the region?

Well, you know China has an important role. China is a major power, emerging power. So we want to see China constructively engaging with ASEAN. And also we still hold out to the hope that China would be playing a very constructive role to promote peace and stability and enhance relationship with ASEAN.

Source: VGP