ASEAN will hold negotiations with China on East Sea issues, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh has affirmed.
Answering reporters’ queries on the sidelines of the 22nd ASEANSummit, which took place in Brunei from April 24-25, Minh stressedthat the East Sea is an important shipping lane for theregion and the world, so maritime security should be protected.
"ASEAN is open and willing to engage with China on this issue;we've done so already at the 19th ASEAN-China Senior Officials'Consultation. We've also agreed with the Chinese side to hold aministerial level meeting later this year," he added.
For his part, ASEAN Chairman, Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiahexpressed his optimism for the progress reached between 10 ASEAN membersin preparation for the talks with China, which he hopes will bring abright future to East Sea issues.
Earlier, inthe Chairman’s Statement, ASEAN leaders reiterated the importance ofpeace, stability and maritime security in the East Sea and jointcommitments within the framework of the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (DOC) to ensure disputes are settled peacefullyin accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Conventionon the Law of the Sea.
They also expressed theirdesire to continue to engage with China in implementing the DOC ina "full and effective manner".
ASEAN leadersshowed their determination to strengthen cooperation in regionalsecurity issues, and stressed the importance of establishing the ASEANPolitical-Security Community.
They also called formore efforts to prevent terrorism and trans-national crime, fightagainst non-traditional challenges, human trafficking and the clearanceof unexploded ordnance.-VNA
Answering reporters’ queries on the sidelines of the 22nd ASEANSummit, which took place in Brunei from April 24-25, Minh stressedthat the East Sea is an important shipping lane for theregion and the world, so maritime security should be protected.
"ASEAN is open and willing to engage with China on this issue;we've done so already at the 19th ASEAN-China Senior Officials'Consultation. We've also agreed with the Chinese side to hold aministerial level meeting later this year," he added.
For his part, ASEAN Chairman, Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiahexpressed his optimism for the progress reached between 10 ASEAN membersin preparation for the talks with China, which he hopes will bring abright future to East Sea issues.
Earlier, inthe Chairman’s Statement, ASEAN leaders reiterated the importance ofpeace, stability and maritime security in the East Sea and jointcommitments within the framework of the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (DOC) to ensure disputes are settled peacefullyin accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Conventionon the Law of the Sea.
They also expressed theirdesire to continue to engage with China in implementing the DOC ina "full and effective manner".
ASEAN leadersshowed their determination to strengthen cooperation in regionalsecurity issues, and stressed the importance of establishing the ASEANPolitical-Security Community.
They also called formore efforts to prevent terrorism and trans-national crime, fightagainst non-traditional challenges, human trafficking and the clearanceof unexploded ordnance.-VNA
