Secretary Del Rosario urges effective implementation of the DOC in South China Sea

Wednesday 11th of July 2012

MANILA, July 11 -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario today called for the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the South China Sea and the realization of a credible, binding and enforceable regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Secretary del Rosario said, is a press statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), these goals are part of the region's collective goal of enhancing maritime cooperation. A meeting was held July 10 between Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers and the foreign ministers of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

“This expression of hope is not alien to us, nor should it come as a surprise,” Secretary Del Rosario told the meeting. “The ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan for 2007 to 2017 specifically states our collective goal of enhancing maritime cooperation on safety of navigation, such as through the implementation of relevant treaties and agreements.”

Secretary Del Rosario added that there is a need tackle the situation in Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) because it is important to maintain peace and stability and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea.

He said there has been a meeting of minds among the ASEAN Senior Officials on the proposed main elements of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and ASEAN will soon start negotiations with China on these elements.

Secretary Del Rosario added that "for archipelagic states like the Philippines, unimpeded commerce and maritime safety are important given that a quarter of the estimated 1.37 million mariners worldwide are Filipinos."

DFA said Secretary Del Rosario is in Phnom Penh from July 8 to 12 to attend the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences, East Asia Summit Ministerial Meeting, Southwest Pacific Dialogue and the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting. (DFA)