ASEAN chief: Legally-binding East Sea Code of Conduct needed
Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Le Luong Minh on November 14 stressed that a legally-binding Code of Conduct (COC) is necessary to ease tensions over territorial claims in the East Sea.
ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Secretary General of the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations (ASEAN) Le Luong Minh on November 14 stressed that a legally-bindingCode of Conduct (COC) is necessary to ease tensions over territorial claims inthe East Sea.
In an interview with Japanese media outlets, Minh said that the 15 year-oldDeclaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) that set looseguidelines for actions in the waters has proven ineffective, resulting intensions frequently rising over land reclamations and maritime activities.
Evaluating the DOC as important in politics and not having any legally-bindingcharacter, Minh stated that the guidelines have not been implementedeffectively or fully, with certain countries using them to suit their owninterests.
In August, ASEAN member states and China adopted a framework for a COC in theEast Sea after four years of negotiations. This is an initial step fornegotiations for an effective and legally-binding COC which is expected tomaintain regional peace and stability.-VNA
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ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh. (Photo: VNA) 
