Disputes must be solved through negotiations

An international seminar on the East Sea was held in Jakarta on May 31 by Indonesia ’s Habibie Centre in collaboration with India ’s Centre for Asian Strategic Studies.

Over 150 delegates, including scholars and researchers from Indonesia , India , Malaysia , Singapore, Vietnam , the USA, Australia and representatives from embassies of ASEAN countries, the US , Russia and China  attended the seminar.

Addressing the opening session, Habibie Chairwoman Prof. Dr. Dewi Fortuna Anwar hailed Indonesia ’s initiative to organize the seminar and affirmed the important role of ASEAN in the international community.

The delegates delivered 13 reports themed, “Prospects of Cooperation and Convergence of the Issues and Dynamics in the East Sea” at the seminar, emphasizing that disputes in the East Sea should be solved through multilateral, peaceful negotiations, ensuring benefits for all concerned parties.

The seminar was expected to issue a joint statement and proposals on the necessity of ensuring an environment of peace and stability in the East Sea , for the common benefit of neighboring countries and the region.

It called for efforts, commitments and contributions from the concerned parties through multilateral mechanisms, in order to increase the building of trust, cooperation to solve conflicts, ensure maritime security and conduct scientific studies in the East Sea in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), advancing to the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The international seminar on the East Sea was held in the context where Indonesia , as ASEAN Chair 2011, was accelerating efforts to promote initiatives on enhancement of peace, stability, security and prosperity in the region, as well as the increasing position and role of ASEAN and Asia in the international arena