UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs Elizabeth Truss (Photo: AFP) Sydney (VNA) – Australian and UKforeign and defence ministers underscored the importance of countries being able to exercise theirmaritime rights and freedoms in the East Sea consistent with the UN Convention on theLaw of the Sea (UNCLOS), including freedom of navigation and overflight, at theannual ministerial consultations in 2022.
In a joint statement on January 21,Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Defence PeterDutton together with UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth andDevelopment Affairs Elizabeth Truss and Secretary of State for Defence BenWallace reiterated their strong opposition to actions that raisetensions, including the militarisation of disputed features, the dangerous useof coast guard and maritime militia and efforts to disrupt other countries’utilisation of their offshore resources.
Theyreiterated that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal decision relating to the East Sea is final andbinding on the parties. Both sides emphasised that any Code of Conduct mustfully accord with international law, in particular the UNCLOS, not prejudicethe rights or interests of States under international law or undermine existinginclusive regional architecture. Maritime claims, and the implementation ofdomestic legislation must be consistent with the UNCLOS.
In the joint statement, the ministers renewed their support for an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacificregion in which the sovereign rights of all nations are respected. Theyreaffirmed their commitment to working with partners to shape a regionunderpinned by rules and norms and that is free from coercion, and wheredisputes are settled peacefully and in accordance with international law.
The two sides welcomed the enhancement of their countries’relationships with ASEAN, including the establishment of an ASEAN-AustraliaComprehensive Strategic Partnership and the UK’s new status as an officialASEAN Dialogue Partner. Australia and the UK strongly support ASEAN centrality,ASEAN-led regional architecture, and practical implementation of ASEAN’sOutlook on the Indo-Pacific, they said./.
