Phl, US commit to maritime security

MANILA, Philippines - There is a pressing need for a binding regional code of conduct to ensure stability and maritime security in the Asia-Pacific Region.

This was the consensus between the Philippines and the US as expressed in a telephone conversation between acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Del Rosario received a phone call last Sunday from Clinton who congratulated the new DFA secretary. They also discussed issues of mutual interest to the Philippines and the United States.

The DFA said yesterday Del Rosario told Clinton that it’s in the best interest of the region to transform a potential flashpoint into a Zone of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation through sustained consultation and dialogue.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China signed in 2002 the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in a bid to ease tension arising from territorial disputes, particularly over the Spratlys.

Washington has been pushing for a multilateral solution to the South China Sea issue.

Del Rosario and Clinton shared the view of enhancing “strategic dialogue” between the US and the Philippines.

The first strategic dialogue between the two countries was held last Jan. 27 to 28 in Manila.

They also discussed developments in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

Del Rosario welcomed the participation of the US and the Russian Federation in the EAS and expressed the hope that ASEAN would continue to play a central role in the EAS.

President Barack Obama will join the 6th East Asia Summit in Indonesia in October this year, where the US will participate as a full member for the first time.

During the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Lombok, Indonesia last Jan. 16, it was agreed that the guidelines for the 2002 Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea be finalized at once.

Del Rosario and Clinton expressed their desire for an early meeting so that they could work more closely in advancing the common interests of the Philippines and the US.

The Philippines lodged a diplomatic protest against China following an incident near Spratlys on March 3 during which two Chinese boats harassed a Philippine research vessel. China ignored the protest and said the area where the harassment took place was part of its territory.

China is against a third party involvement by the US saying any dispute should be resolved by countries with territorial claims in the region.

Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao said that concerns over freedom of navigation in the South China Sea should be “no excuse” for any third party to get involved in the dispute.

He said allowing a third party would “magnify” the issue and make the dispute more complicated and difficult to settle.