Asean maritime experts meet in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Maritime legal experts from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) gathered in Manila yesterday for a two-day conference to discuss the Philippine-proposed Zone of Peace, Freedom, Friendship and Cooperation (ZoPFF/C) in the West Philippine Sea.

Vice President Jejomar Binay delivered the opening speech in which he emphasized the importance of a rules-based conduct in the West Philippine Sea. 

“The Philippines is therefore pushing for a rules-based approach in the West Philippines. We believe that rules provide an effective tool for peaceful and fair resolution in the presence of disputes. A rules-based approach is the key to advancing the peaceful settlement of disputes for all countries concerned in the West Philippine Sea,” Binay said.

“We sincerely believe that our Asean brothers are one with us in the view that there should be a primacy of international law in state to state relations.”

The conduct of the two-day consultation was based on the decision of Asean ministers in the 44th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bali to study the proposal with the assistance of maritime legal experts.

The findings will be reported to during the Asean Senior Officials’ Meeting. A recommendation will be made before the conduct of the 19th Asean Summit in Bali in November.