Defence ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have expressed “grave concerns over the escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula” and underscored the need for co-operation to combat terrorism following a meeting yesterday in the Philippines.
The ministers of the 10-member group agreed to establish a working group to develop guidelines on air encounters between military aircraft and adopted a concept paper on guidelines on maritime encounters to help prevent untoward incidents in the South China Sea due to miscalculation, according to a joint statement.
“The joint declaration being signed embodies the collective sense of the Asean defence ministers on the regional security environment,”
said Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who chaired the meeting.
“More importantly, it contains the ministers’ shared thrust and specific undertakings to address the security challenges facing the region as well as the practical measures to promote co-operation,” Lorenzana said.
The ministers urged the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula amid the recent launching and testing by North Korea of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
They urged nations involved in the issue to exercise self-restraint and to resume dialogue to reduce tension and maintain peace and stability in the region.
The ministers “strongly urged” North Korea “to immediately comply” with its obligations contained in UN Security Council resolutions.
The ministers reaffirmed the importance of “maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the South China Sea.”
China claims almost the entire sea lane, while Asean nations the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia claim parts of the sea.
Taiwan is also a claimant. The ministers pointed out importance to pursue peaceful resolutions of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos). They called for the adoption of a code of conduct in the sea lane to reduce and manage tension.
During the meeting, Lorenzana announced the end of conflict between government forces and militants in Marawi City.


Related Story