CLARK, Pampanga: Defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) signed on Monday a joint declaration calling anew for stability, peace and freedom of navigation over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). AdvertisementsThe declaration was signed during the 11th Asean Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) by Cambodia, Indonesia,Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei.The document called for enhanced mutual trust and confidence to avoid escalating the situation. “[This is also to] pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos),” it said. In August, Asean countries and China agreed to adopt a framework for a code of conduct (COC) over the disputed sea. The Asean Defense Ministers condemned the terrorist siege in Marawi City that lasted for five months.

Source: Manila Times October 23, 2017 16:41 UTC