US President Barak Obama and the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah meet in Washington, March, 2013 (Photo: Washington post)

(VOVworld) - US President Barack Obama is urging Asian nations involved in maritime disputes to abide by the “rule of law and international standards” to ensure that further conflict can avoided. At a meeting with the Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah in Washington on Tuesday, Obama said that the Asian summits to be held by Brunei this year will focus on energy and climate change and expanding commerce in the Pacific, as well as maritime disputes.

In another development, international experts are expected to discuss East Sea issues at a workshop to be held in New York over the next two days. The event, organized by the Asian Association- a US leading center for research and consultation on Asia and Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew Public Policy School will be attended by leading experts and researchers from the US< Singapore, China, Vietnam, the Philippines and Australia. With the theme “The East Sea is a central factor in the peace and security of the Asia Pacific Region”, the attendees will discuss maritime disputes in the East Sea and look for solutions to the problems.