Indonesia vows to work with PH to expedite SCS Code of Conduct crafting
Indonesia has committed to work with the Philippines and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to expedite the crafting of a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea amid continued tension in the waters.
Following the 7th Philippine-Indonesia Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation on Wednesday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Jakarta is ready to finalize with Manila a sea conduct "as soon as possible."
Marsudi also said she and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo welcome the recent ASEAN foreign ministers' Statement on Maintaining and Promoting Stability in the Maritime Sphere in Southeast Asia.
"This is an important step to ensure the South China Sea, remains a sea of peace, stability, and prosperity," she said.
On Dec. 30, top diplomats of the regional bloc issued a joint statement, where they recalled and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security, and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
They called for the full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, "without resorting to the threat or use of force" under international law and agreements.
They also said they are closely following with concern the developments in the South China Sea and stressed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and safety.
Like the Philippines, Indonesia also has a dispute with China with regards to the South China Sea.
Indonesia maintains its territorial sovereignty over Natuna Islands—part of its exclusive economic zone—which overlaps with China's unilaterally claimed nine-dash line (now 10-dash line).