Australia, Indonesia gravely concerned over militarization in East Sea
(VOVWORLD) - Australia and Indonesia have expressed serious concerns about developments in the East Sea, including the continued militarization of disputed features, and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region.
 Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Canberra, February 10, 2020. (Photo: AP) |
In a joint statement following a meeting in Canberra on Monday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indonesian President Joko Widodo called for disputes to be resolved peacefully in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
They noted negotiations between ASEAN and China towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea and underlined the importance of any Code of Conduct as being consistent with international law, particularly UNCLOS, without prejudice toward the interests and rights of third parties or other states, and supporting existing, inclusive regional architecture.
The leaders were committed to deepening practical cooperation on maritime issues to support common interests in the maritime domain, including in the areas of improving maritime domain awareness, supporting the understanding of and adherence to UNCLOS, and combating illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing.