MANILA, Philippines – Nagkasundo ang member-states ng Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at China na kumpletuhin na ang Code of Conduct sa South China Sea (SCS) pagsapit ng 2026 sa kabila ng mga isyu na nagdulot ng pagkaantala sa paglikha rito, ayon sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) nitong Huwebes, Abril 24.
“Well, we are all politically committed to achieving, having a code by next year. But we will see. We will try our best,” sinabi ni DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo sa isang ambush interview.
“Everyone has agreed that we would like to have a code by 2026, but we have to agree [on the code],” dagdag pa niya.
Ayon kay Manalo, may mga isyu pa na kailangang mapagkasunduan ng lahat ng bansa para makumpleto ang Code of Conduct.
“Well, it is contentious in the sense that there are issues that need to get the consensus of all countries,” ani Manalo.
“But as the President said, we still have to address important issues such as the scope of the code, also the nature of the code and its relation to the declaration of the principles adopted in 2002 on the SCS,” dagdag niya.
Ngayong buwan, nagsagawa ng tatlong araw na negosasyon ang ASEAN at China sa Manila para sa proposed Code of Conduct on the South China Sea.
Layon nitong magtakda ng mga panuntunan upang maiwasan ang gusot sa South China Sea, armed conflict, at pagkontrol ng isang bansa. RNT/JGC
