Soeung Rathchavy, Secretary of State at Cambodia ’s Foreign Ministry, who chaired the 7 th ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, said the draft will be submitted to ASEAN foreign ministers for a final decision at their July meeting.
The completion of drafting the key elements of the COC is a positive result, she said, saying that the COC is very important in boosting regional peace and stability as well as strengthening the friendship and cooperation between ASEAN and China .
If the draft is approved, ASEAN will conduct negotiations with China , she said, adding that ASEAN senior officials stress the bloc’s joint commitment to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC).
ASEAN and Chinese foreign ministers adopted the DOC in Phnom Penh in 2002. In July last year, foreign ministers of ASEAN and China adopted the guidelines for implementing the DOC.
Source: Vietnam Plus
