Indonesia aims to speed up South China Sea code of conduct negotiations

JAKARTA - Indonesia plans to host the next round of South China Sea code of conduct (COC) negotiations by the end of this year, with the aim to expedite the ongoing process, according to its Foreign Ministry.

As the current Chair of Asean, Indonesia, hosted COC negotiations between Asean and China in March and all parties also agreed on the country’s initiative to speed up the negotiation process.

"Indonesia’s initiative in the form of Guidelines can serve as practical recommendations that also contain substantive material to keep the COC effective and actionable,” said Rolliansyah Soemirat, director for Asean Political and Security Cooperation in a statement today.

These guidelines summarise the Asean-China aspirations to complete the COC in three years or less through intensive discussions of pending issues and other proposed working method.

"Given the complexity of the elements in the COC, the involved parties have been very cautious; hence, a breakthrough is needed to accelerate the process,” he added.

The COC is expected to reflect international norms, principles, and rules aligned with and referring to international law, especially UNCLOS, to achieve a stable, safe, and peaceful South China Sea.

Currently, Indonesia continues to support confidence-building measures and the reduction of tensions to promote prosperity in the region, while also ensuring Asean’s centrality in South China Sea issues.

To date, the COC negotiations have completed the second reading or discussions in the second round of negotiations, the statement read. - BERNAMA