On November 22, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, leaders of 10 member countries of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Establishing the ASEAN Community 2015 and the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN Vision 2025.
The signing ceremony of the Declaration on establishing ASEAN Community 2015 and the Declaration on ASEAN Community Vision 2025 have been held under the witness of the leaders of eight dialogue partners, that are Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, India, Russia and the US.
Kuala Lumpur Declaration on establishing the ASEAN Community 2015 is a significant milestone in ASEAN in the 48 years of establishment and development.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the guaranty of peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation is the common interest and responsibility of both ASEAN and nations inside and outside in the region, showing the prestige and central role of ASEAN.
The aforesaid situation requires ASEAN to cement solidarity and unity and undertake several tasks like timely voicing common concern over the complicated happenings and unilateral actions in the East Sea as well as dangerous consequences.
At the same time, ASEAN needs to foster the observation of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, preventing the use or threat to use forces as well as actions that may complicate the situation and intensify tensions at sea.
ASEAN also needs to step up exchanges with China and urge China to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and quicken the conclusion a Code of Conduct for the East Sea.
Source: The Hanoitimes
Key words: ASEAN Communities, is formally established
