Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi, has urged countries involved in the South China Sea dispute to respect the importance of international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

"Without respecting international law, peace and stability will be difficult to achieve," Foreign Minister Retno said in a press statement received by ANTARA here on Wednesday.

The statement was issued by the minister following discussions on the situation in the South China Sea at the Foreign Affairs Ministers Special Meeting of ASEAN-China in Kunming, China on June13 and 14.

The meeting, which was attended by the ASEAN and Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministers, discussed preparations for the 25th anniversary of the ASEAN-China partnership and regional issues, including the situation in the South China Sea.

The ministers considered commemorating 25 years of ASEAN-China partnership, saying cooperation for peace and prosperity has become increasingly relevant.

Regional peace and stability should be maintained in order to ensure the continued development of ASEAN member countries and China.

"Indonesia hopes that cooperation will create peace and prosperity, which will be translated with real actions," Minister Retno said.

The ASEAN and Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministers agreed on the importance of the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

In addition, the ministers also emphasized on the need to expeditiously complete the Code of Conduct to regulate the actions of the parties, who get involved in the South China Sea dispute.

The Indonesian government continues to encourage China and ASEAN countries, which have gotten involved in the South China Sea dispute, to resolve the case through peaceful diplomatic channels for the sake of stability in the region.

"Indonesia is promoting the diplomatic process to solve the South China Sea dispute settlement," the Director of the ASEAN Intraregional Dialogue Partners at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Derry Aman, said.

He said the main thing that needs to be done by all parties who get involved in the South China Sea dispute is to refrain from taking direct or indirect provocative actions.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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