The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is ready to further speed up the process to create a legally binding code of conduct (COC) in the East Sea with China.
ASEAN Secretary General
Le Luong Minh made the remarks in a recent written interview with Kyodo News.
He said the 10-member grouping welcomes the proposal of Chinese Foreign
Minister Wang Yi to fast-track consultations on the code of conduct (COC),
including the development of a framework for the code by mid-2017.
"ASEAN and
Chinahave agreed to intensify consultations on the COC to meet the deadline,” he
said, adding that the bloc is even ready to further accelerate the COC process
by presenting specific contents of the code.
He confirmed that three joint working group meetings on the COC have been
scheduled in the first half of 2017.
He stressed ASEAN looks forward to concluding a COC that is comprehensive and
legally binding to govern the conduct and behaviour of the involved parties in
the
East
Sea to help create a favourable
environment for a comprehensive and durable settlement of disputes.
ASEAN remains seriously concerned over recent and ongoing developments in the
East
Sea,
including over land reclamations and an escalation of activities in the area,
which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine
peace, security and stability in the region, Minh said.
That is why ASEAN keeps consistently and actively engaging
China in its efforts to maintain and promote
peace and stability in the
East
Sea, he explained.
Despites some differences among ASEAN member countries on several issues,
including the
East
Sea one, ASEAN will not
leave its consensus principle in decision making, he affirmed.
Source: VOV.VN
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