Secretary del Rosario urges effective implementation of the DOC

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario today called for the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the eventual realization of a credible, binding and enforceable regional Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Speaking at the meeting between ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Foreign Ministers of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on July 10, Secretary del Rosario said that these goals are part of the region's collective goal of enhancing maritime cooperation.

"This expression of hope is not alien to us, nor should it come as a surprise," Secretary del Rosario said at the meeting.

"The ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation Work Plan for 2007 to 2017 specifically states our collective goal of enhancing maritime cooperation on safety of navigation, such as through the implementation of relevant treaties and agreements."

Meanwhile, Secretary del Rosario said, during the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on July 9, that there is a need to bring to the fore the situation in Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) because it is important to maintain peace and stability and freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea.

He said that the situation in Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc) was an important topic discussed by a majority of ASEAN Foreign Ministers during the meeting.

Secretary del Rosario also said there has been a meeting of minds among the ASEAN Senior Officials on the proposed main elements of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and ASEAN will soon start negotiations with China on these elements.

Secretary del Rosario added that "for archipelagic states like the Philippines, unimpeded commerce and maritime safety are important given that a quarter of the estimated 1.37 million mariners worldwide are Filipinos."

Secretary del Rosario is in Phnom Penh from July 8 to 12, 2012, to attend the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ASEAN Plus Three Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences, East Asia Summit Ministerial Meeting, Southwest Pacific Dialogue, and the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting. - Official Gazette — ARA