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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider ASEAN, EU bat for peace, stability in South China Sea

ASEAN, EU bat for peace, stability in South China Sea

Published Jul 9, 2021 02:04 pm

Senior officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) member states have reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety, and the right of freedom of navigation and overflight above the South China Sea.

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The joint statement came at the conclusion of the ASEAN – EU Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) that was convened via videoconference on Thursday, July 8, 2021.

The meeting also came four days ahead of the commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the July 12, 2016 decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that gave the Philippines its victory over China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, or the West Philippine Sea.

“We engaged in candid and productive discussions on regional and international issues of mutual interest and concern. We underlined the importance of the respect for international law, in particular, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We also reaffirmed our support for the open, inclusive and rules-based multilateral system,” the ASEAN and EU said in the statement.

Amid China’s continued activities in the South China Sea, the world’s two biggest regional blocs also reaffirmed their call for the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with international law, “in particular the 1982 UNCLOS which is of universal character and sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out”.

Both sides likewise encouraged negotiations towards the early conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) consistent with international law, in particular the 1982 UNCLOS.

The Meeting was co-chaired by Stanley Loh, Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific in the European External Action Service.

Meanwhile, party-list group Akbayan will lead a rally outside the Chinese Consular Office in Makati City to commemorate the 5th year of the historic Arbitral Award victory against China on the West Philippine Sea on Monday, July 12.

According to Akbayan, they will bring "big iconic images" of the late President Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III and tie yellow ribbons to reiterate the Filipino people’s call for China to respect the Philippines' landmark victory before the United Nations-backed tribunal.

Joining Akbayan in the rally are representatives from Mamamayang Liberal, Akbayan Youth, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), Pambansang Katipunan ng mga Samahan sa Kanayunan (PKSK), Kapisanan ng mga LGBTQIA sa Pilipinas (KULAY) and Kapatiran sa Dalawang Gulong (KaGulong).

Related Tags

ASEAN Code of Conduct European Union ARBITRAL AWARD South China Sea
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