President Duterte returned to the country late Sunday night from productive discussions with fellow Southeast Asian leaders at the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit over the weekend in Bangkok, Thailand, Malacañang said yesterday.
The summit focused on ASEAN community-building and key regional and global issues.
According to Malacañang, Duterte expressed concern on the impact of the US-China trade war on global growth and economic integration. “He urged both sides to resolve their differences and pressed ASEAN to strengthen its commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system,” it said.
Duterte reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to work constructively with all parties to conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership this year, adding that trade should ultimately benefit the underprivileged segments of ASEAN countries.
The Chief Executive emphasized the need for ASEAN to intensify cooperation to address non-traditional security threats such as terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crimes, and illegal drugs.
The President underscored that countries most responsible for climate change should be held accountable. He pushed for enhanced regional efforts to combat marine debris and prevent the export of garbage to ASEAN countries.
“The President noted the brewing competition among the big powers that is generating greater instability, fueling already critical flashpoints in various parts of the world – from the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific,” Malacañang said.
Duterte, as coordinator of the ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations, expressed grave concern over activities in the South China Sea that erode trust and confidence and undermine peace, security, and stability in the region.
According to Malacañang, the President underscored that delay in the negotiations for a substantive and effective Code of Conduct is detrimental to the region.
“He urged ASEAN and China to act quickly noting that ‘the faster we finish the process, the more credible ASEAN and China will be as partners for security and stability,'” it said.
Duterte also called for the effective implementation of international instruments, such as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to create a conducive environment for negotiations and maintain peace and stability in the region. (Argyll Geducos)