Cambodian Deputy PM urges peaceful solution to East Sea disputes
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong has urged South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) claimants to solve disputes peacefully by following international laws.
Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong (third, right) meets Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Pablo Kang on October 1.(Photo: vov.vn)
Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodian Deputy Prime MinisterHor Namhong has urged South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam)claimants to solve disputes peacefully by following international laws.
During a meeting with Australian Ambassador to Cambodia PabloKang on October 1, he also expressed his hope that the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) and China would reach an agreement on the Code of Conduct(COC) to prevent the disputes escalating, the Phnom Penh Post reported.
The Deputy PM said the South China Sea should be the "seaof peace and security", with freedom of navigation and overflightguaranteed.
“I hope that ASEAN and China will continue to negotiate toachieve a Code of Conduct in the near future. So far, the negotiation is nearlyfinished,” the Phnom Penh Post cited Namhong as saying.
He noted that as the Chair of ASEAN for the third time in 2022,Cambodia will prioritise strengthening ASEAN unity and ensuring peace andsecurity in the region.
According to the Deputy PM, at the upcoming 2022 ASEAN summit,the regional bloc will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Declaration onthe Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).
"Now, 20 years have passed and all relevant parties arestill demanding full respect for this DOC,” he said./.
Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on July 12 issued a statement calling on relevant sides to comply with the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)’s ruling in settling disputes in the East Sea, internationally known as the South China Sea.
Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne has affirmed Australia’s position which is guided by principled support for international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Foreign ministers of ASEAN countries and Japan agreed on the importance of freedom of navigation in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea) during their virtual meeting on August 3.
The 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-54), which took place recently via videoconference, issued a joint communiqué highlighting the East Sea (South China Sea) situation.
The Chairman’s Statement of the 28th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) has called for the maintenance of security and freedom of navigation in the East Sea, and acceleration of talks for the prompt signing of the Code of Conduct in the waters (COC).
Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn said Cambodia welcomes the resumption of negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) as it reflects the commitment of ASEAN and China to maintain regional stability by managing differences as per international law.
Australia and France ministers have voiced serious concerns about the situation in the East Sea and called for all disputes to be resolved in a peaceful manner in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
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Cambodia and Thailand vowed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including entering the other side’s air space and territory, and refrain from constructing or enhancing military infrastructure.
Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong (third, right) meets Australian Ambassador to Cambodia Pablo Kang on October 1.(Photo: vov.vn)
