Vietnam's Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago in the East Sea (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) always supports the early approval of aneffective and legally-binding Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), the ForeignMinistry’s Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said at a regular press conference inHanoi on August 3.
Hang made the remarks while answering reporters’ queries aboutissues related to a framework agreement on the COC which is expected to beapproved at the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’Meeting and related meetings in the Philippine capital city of Manila.
[Vietnam reaffirms importance of UNCLOS]
“In accordance with ASEAN’s regulations, atthis meeting, ASEAN and Chinese foreign ministers will consider the adoption ofa framework agreement on the COC in the East Sea, which had been finalised atthe ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the COC consultations,” she said.
While evaluating the efficiency of the COC inresolving conflicts at sea, Hang said the common benefits of all ASEAN membersand regional countries is maintaining peace, security and stability in theregion and the East Sea.
“Based on that foundation, ASEAN always agrees thatit is necessary to have an effective and legally-binding COC in the East Sea assoon as possible to ensure peace, security, safety and freedom of navigationin the East Sea on the basis of observing international law, including theUnited Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS),” the spokeswomanstressed.-VNA
