"The resolution proposal agenda was made in July 2012 when the South China Sea dispute escalated."
Sengigi, West Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, AIPA, has postponed the South China Sea resolution proposal owing to the improving situation in the area and also to avoid considering the pros and cons of the assembly`s delegation.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Executive Committee led by the President of AIPA, Marzuki Alie here on Tuesday.

Alie conveyed the decision of the AIPA executive committee in the first plenary session.

Besides parliamentary delegations of AIPA members, the event was also attended by delegates from observer countries, namely, Australia, Belarus, Canada, People`s Republic of China, Korea, India, Japan, Russia and the European Parliament.

Alie, who led the first plenary session, asked for the delegates` approval to postpone the South China Sea resolution proposal.

There were no objections to the postponement of the issue by the plenary participants and delegates and the Executive Committee approved the decision.

"The resolution proposal agenda was made in July 2012 when the South China Sea dispute escalated and it was included in the 33rd AIPA General Assembly`s agenda," Alie said while postponing the resolution.

The South China Sea situation has become favourable following recent Indonesian efforts led by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to offer a peaceful settlement that would be acceptable to all parties.

The changing situation led to the suggestion to exclude the resolution`s agenda from the AIPA meeting, as it would have had an impact other discussions on the agenda.

"There were too many pros and cons involved in the proposed discussion," said Alie, who is also the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

The South China Sea discussion agenda has been postponed indefinitely.

"We had two alternatives, either to change the theme or to postpone the discussion on the resolution proposal," Alie said further.

He added that dialogue and consultations between the related parties will be able to create a safe, harmonious and stable condition.

The South China Sea is a crucial area for ASEAN and is critical for all countries in the region.

"Due to the improving condition, it is considered no longer a problem," Alie finished.
(U.A050/INE/KR-BSR/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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