By HANNAH L. TORREGOZA
November 6, 2012, 8:44pm
VIENTIANE – Asian and European leaders yesterday reached a consensus to adopt the Vientiane Declaration during the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held here in Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic.
Section 5 of the Vientiane Declaration will serve as a reminder to ASEM leaders of their renewed commitment “to refrain from the act of threat or the use of force in any manner inconsistent with the United Nations (UN) charter and international law against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of any state and to seek peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue, negotiations and other means in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.”
President Benigno S. Aquino III joined 19 other Asian countries, 29 European countries, the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission and the Secretary General of the ASEAN in adopting the Vientiane Declaration.
Aquino, himself, reiterated before Asian and European leaders the Philippine government’s commitment to resolve its diplomatic disputes against China over maritime and territorial issues before international lawmaking bodies, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“This effort is consistent with our country’s position on the disputes surrounding the West Philippine Sea, which is merely a portion of the South China Sea within our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ),” Aquino said during his keynote address at the ASEM summit which was held at the National Convention Center, Lao PDR.
Aquino brought up the issue when the ASEM leaders tackled regional issues during the summit, and reiterated the country’s sovereignty over the so-called “highly contested body of water.”
Aquino, who attended the ASEM summit for the first time, said it is imperative that countries and stakeholders in the Asian region to work together to enhance maritime cooperation and security.
“This is an issue that, we believe, concerns even non-claimant countries. After all, this is an area through which 50,000 ships – many of them from Europe – pass annually, facilitating trade between all our countries and many others,” Aquino said at his keynote address.
“As such, its implications on freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce make it a priority issue not only for the Philippines and the region, but also for the wider international community,” the Chief Executive said.
Aquino emphasized to Asian and European leaders that the Philippines has always advocated a rules-based approach as the most “legitimate, most appropriate, and durable means” to address conflicting maritime and territorial claims” from the very beginning.
“This has not changed. We remain firmly committed to the fair and peaceful settlement of disputes in the West Philippine Sea, in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” he stressed.
China has insisted that Scarborough Shoals or Panatag shoals as part of China’s inherent territory and claimed they have sufficient legal basis to prove ownership over that huge body of water.
China has also refuses to bring its claim on the Scarborough Shoals before the UNCLOS.
Besides the Philippines, other Asian nations, in particular, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei also claim ownership of some parts of the West Philippine Sea.
Aquino said the Philippines is now looking forward to the early convening of negotiations on a legally binding regional Code of Conduct which was one of the agenda agreed upon when ASEAN leaders reached a consensus on the Six-Point Principle on the West Philippine Sea last July.
The Philippines looks forward to the early convening of negotiations on a legally binding regional Code of Conduct, parallel to the full and active implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Aquino, however, assured that despite its maritime conflict with China, which has somehow hurt bilateral relations between the two countries, both the Philippines and China remain committed to enhancing bilateral ties, towards the benefit of their peoples.
“Through measures such as these, founded on a collective desire for stability and on the importance of continued international engagement, we can best ensure that whatever tensions are present do not escalate into open conflict,” Aquino said.
“And this is an endeavor in which we must all take part. After all, it is in our collective interests to ensure peace, harmony, stability, and safety and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea. This is fundamental not only for the continued economic growth and prosperity of Asia, but for the rest of the world as well,” exhorted Aquino.
“In these times, where the state of individual economies and the stability of individual countries depend so much on events all over the world, it is becoming more important for us all to work together towards mutual progress, and towards a stable and peaceful ASEAN Community and Asia-Pacific region, which will, in the end, benefit the entire global community,” he concluded.
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