In observance of the Holy Week, the Philippine News Agency’s online news service will be off on March 29, Good Friday, and March 30, Black Saturday. Normal operations will resume on March 31, Easter Sunday.

— The Editors

ASEAN optimistic of marine environment protection pact

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

November 12, 2017, 3:23 pm

MANILA -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday said it is "looking forward" to the signing of the declaration on marine environment protection in the South China Sea, following the progress on the creation of the code of conduct (COC) for the disputed waters.

During the 16th ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC) council meeting in Marriott Hotel, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano noted the achievements reached by the bloc's joint efforts to ensure peace and stability in the region, including maritime security and cooperation through various ASEAN-led bodies and mechanisms.

"We are looking forward to the adoption by the leaders of the ASEAN-China of the Declaration of the Coastal and Maritime Environment Protection in the South China Sea," he said.

Cayetano underscored this would further boost maritime cooperation in the marine environmental protection component of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration of Conduct (DOC).

The DOC, which was signed by China and the ASEAN bloc in 2002, compels states to intensify efforts in seeking cooperation and understanding to build trust and confidence between and among them, pending the peaceful settlement of territorial and jurisdictional disputes in the area.

While a comprehensive and durable settlement on the disputes has yet to be materialized, parties concerned were allowed to undertake joint activities, including marine scientific research and marine environmental protection.

On Nov. 13, ASEAN and China are expected to announce the start of formal consultations of the COC, 15 years after negotiations began. (PNA)

Comments