The Philippines has expressed confidence that negotiations for a South China Sea Code of Conduct will conclude within the year, even as it urged all parties to maintain the pace of talks on remaining sensitive issues.
The call came from Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro after co-chairing the ninth Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan in Manila. The meeting, held on August 18, also saw the two countries exchange views on what they described as "illegal and coercive actions" that infringe on the rights of coastal states.
Maintaining momentum
Lazaro said the Philippines welcomed the positive progress in the Code of Conduct negotiations, particularly praising Malaysia's contributions as co-chair of the talks along with China, as reported by Asia News Network.
"We remain optimistic about the conclusion of the negotiations within the year," Lazaro was quoted as saying by multiple outlets covering the meeting.
The foreign secretary urged all parties to sustain the momentum generated by the monthly frequency of meetings and to advance in-depth discussions on the remaining sensitive issues.
The Code of Conduct negotiations involve the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, seeking to establish a framework for managing tensions and activities in the South China Sea. Both the Asia News Network and the Manila Bulletin reported that the Philippines has consistently invoked the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in asserting its maritime rights and entitlements.
Regional and bilateral concerns
Beyond the Code of Conduct, the meeting covered a range of regional issues. The South China Sea was among the topics discussed, along with developments in Myanmar, the Cambodia-Thailand border issue, and the Middle East, according to the Asia News Network.
Lazaro said the Philippines and Malaysia reaffirmed their commitment to international law and the rules-based order, effective diplomacy, and stronger platforms for engagement and cooperation.
Both parties also discussed defense and security cooperation, including growing ties between their armed forces and the Trilateral Cooperative Arrangement among the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
On labor, the two sides explored ways to strengthen social protections for migrant workers, including Filipinos in Malaysia, and committed to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation, as well as cooperation in the digital economy.
Analysts suggest the conclusion of negotiations within the year remains an ambitious target given the complexity of the issues, though the Philippines has maintained a hopeful outlook.