RP toes US line: Boost Spratlys pact
By Michaela P. del Callar 03/15/2011Days after the Chinese Navy reportedly harassed a Philippine vessel searching for oil at a disputed territory in the South China Sea, acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed that a legally-binding code of conduct for claimants must be finalized to ensure peace and stability in the region.
Clinton phoned Del Rosario last Sunday to congratulate him on his new appointment and to discuss key bilateral and regional issues, among which is the dispute in the South China Sea territories.
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said both foreign secretaries “underscored the need to ensure maritime security in the Asia-Pacific and agreed that a way forward is the conclusion of a binding regional code of conduct in the South China Sea.”
Washington has urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and China to forge a stronger
code of conduct and even offered its assistance on the negotiations for the crafting of the new document..... MORE
Source: The Daily Tribune
URL: http://www.tribuneonline.org/headlines/20110315hed3.html
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