The 26th ASEAN Summit on April 27
issued the Chairman’s Statement dealing with global and regional issues,
including the East Sea issue.
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| The 26th ASEAN Summit |
In the statement, leaders expressed their 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
sea.
In this regard, they said they instructed 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.
They also reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace,
stability, security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight over the East
Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).
“We emphasised the need for all parties to ensure the full
and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in
the South China 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”, the statement said.
While noting the progress made in the consultations on the
Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), they urged that consultations be
intensified, to ensure the expeditious establishment of an effective COC.
Source: VNA
