Malaysia Continues To Play Active Role In Spearheading COC Negotiation - FM Mohamad
CEBU, Jan 30 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue to play an active and significant role in spearheading the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations through cooperation and understanding among ASEAN member states and China, for it to be finalised this year, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said Malaysia as co-country coordinator with China for ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations (August 2024 – July 2027), has taken an initiative to plan more frequent meetings this year. These include ASEAN-China Senior Officials’ Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (SOM-DOC) and ASEAN-China Joint Working Group on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (JWG-DOC).
“During the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) Retreat in Cebu, I have asserted the need for a continuous effort to conclude the COC within the stipulated timeline.
“This is important because the existence of the COC will contribute to the strengthening of regional stability and peace,” he told Bernama.
Mohamad said the member states have also conveyed a clear and consistent message during the retreat to hasten the ongoing negotiation process.
Mohamad said 70 per cent of the content of the COC negotiation has been agreed upon.
“I am confident that the COC can be finalised this year,” he said.
Philippines' Foreign Affairs Secretary and Chair of the AMM Retreat, Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, in a statement said ASEAN welcomed the positive momentum and progress in the ongoing COC negotiations.
“We will endeavour to conclude the negotiations for an effective and substantive COC that is in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, within this year,” she said
The AMM Retreat is the first major meeting under the ASEAN Political Security Community (APSC) pillar during the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026. It is held under the theme ‘Navigating Our Future, Together.’
-- BERNAMA
