Managing East Sea conflict from ASEAN perspective

The workshop focused its discussions on the East Sea-related issues from ASEAN perspective and encouraged initiatives to solve regional conflicts (Photo: VNA)

The Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) organised an international workshop on managing East Sea conflict from ASEAN perspective on June 26 in Jakarta, Indonesia, bringing together policymakers, diplomats, ASEAN officials and scholars on the East Sea.

The workshop focused its discussions on the East Sea-related issues from ASEAN perspective and encouraged initiatives to solve regional conflicts.

Opening the event, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi stressed the need for research and settlement of conflicts in the East Sea to maintain peace and stability in the waters for economic development in the region.

The minister said that solutions should be in accordance with international law for peace environment in the region, adding the East Sea issue can be only settled on the basis of full awareness on current challenges and opportunities as well as cooperation of all parties involved.

ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh said peace and stability is a firm foundation for the development and prosperity of ASEAN.

He underscored the settlement of the East Sea issue must comply with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and ASEAN’s six-point principles on the East Sea.

ASEAN and China have agreed to implement some activities, such as the establishment of hotlines on joint search and rescue operation and emergency cases at sea, he noted.

The workshop also discussed recent developments in the East Sea and the future of the waters.

Delegates voiced their hope for an early completion of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea between ASEAN and China.

VNA