Draft ng Code of Conduct, target matapos sa 2019

SINGAPORE - Umaasa ang mga miyembrong estado ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at ang China na makukumpleto na ang single draft document para sa code of conduct sa South China Sea sa 2019.

Sa isang magkakasamang pahayag na binasa ni President Duterte, muling pinagtibay ng mga lider sa Southeast Asia at ng China ang kahalagahan ng kapayapaan at katatagan sa South China Sea habang nagpapatuloy ang tensyon sa pinagaagawang mga isla sa SCS.

“ASEAN and China have seen steady progress in the initial phase of the COC negotiations since the announcement of a Single Draft COC Negotiating Text, and looked forward to the completion of the first reading of the Single Draft COC Negotiating Text by 2019,” pahayag ni Duterte sa 21st ASEAN-China Summit, nitong Miyerkules.

“ASEAN and China are committed to the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) in its entirety and the expeditious conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC),” dagdag pa niya.

Ayon kay Duterte, magpapatuloy ang ASEAN at China sa pagpapanatili ng mapayapang kapaligiran para sa mga hinaharap na negosasyon sa COC.

“As co-chair of the COC negotiations, the Philippines will continue to work closely together with the Asean Member States and China for the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC,” aniya.

Dagdag pa ni Duterte, “We also reaffirm the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.”

Nitong Agosto, sinabi ni Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan na nagkasundo ang ASEAN at China na ilagay ang lahat sa isang draft bilang basehan ng negosasyon sa hinaharap.

“This does not mean negotiations are over, but it is meant to generate a code of conduct that would ensure peace, stability, confidence so that we can continue to make collective progress,” ani Balakrishnan.