KUALA LUMPUR (July 3, 2013): Malaysia has emphasised that disputes in the South China Sea should be addressed via peaceful dialogue and negotiations based on the principles of international law.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman (pix) said it includes the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).
Speaking at the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit-Foreign Ministers Meeting (EAS-FMM) in Brunei Darussalam yesterday, he also expressed Malaysia’s stand on the situation in Syria and Palestine.
A Foreign Affairs Ministry statement today said Anifah also suggested that ARF participants strengthen coordination and cooperation to enhance preparedness and capacity to address cyber security threats.
During the ARF retreat, the foreign ministers exchanged views on security challenges including development in the South China Sea, the Middle East peace process and the situation on the Korean Peninsula and Syria.
They also discussed non-traditional security threats such as natural disasters, piracy, terrorism, drug trafficking, smuggling and human trafficking and cyber security.
Anifah said that the summit had gone through many changes since its establishment in Kuala Lumpur in 2005.
“In EAS security cooperation, the rules based approach in governing ties between countries will encourage, promote and ensure the true intention and predict the behaviour.”
During the plenary session of the EAS-FMM, the foreign ministers exchanged views on the progress of cooperation in six priority areas namely financial, epidemic, education, disaster management, energy and Asean connectivity.
“They noted the progress achieved and most of the EAS participating countries also talked about initiatives undertaken under the priority areas.”
Malaysia also announced hosting the 4th Asean Maritime Forum and the 2nd Asean Maritime Plus Forum in September 2013 in Kuala Lumpur. – Bernama
Via: http://www.thesundaily.my/
