"In the immediate future it is important for ASEAN to give high priority to the finalization of the formulation of a regional code of conduct on the South China Sea and to engage China as soon as possible," the minister said.
The minister made the suggestion in the seminar which was jointly organized by the Center for Asian Strategic Studies-India (CASS-India), the Institute of Defense and Security Studies (IODAS), and the Indonesia Maritime Studies (IMS).
"In my opinion, it is not an exaggeration to believe that the Code of Conduct will serve as an effective instrument to prevent the pending jurisdictional disputes from degenerating into serious tension, or let alone, open conflicts in the South China Sea.
Quoting the view of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Minister of Defense said, "Even without waiting for resolution over territorial disputes, we can still find ways to transform the potential conflicts in the South China Sea into potential cooperation."
This actually represents a political endorsement by our president of the initiative that Indonesia has taken since a long time ago in the form of a series of second track workshop.
The seminar featured a number of speakers including Prof Hasyim Djalal (Indonesia), Dr Ralf Emmers (from ISEAS, US) Mr Kavi Chongkittavorn (The Nation Media Group, Thailand), Retired Rear Admiral Rosihan Arsyad (Indonesia), Retired Vice Admiral Pradeep Kaushiva (National Maritime Foundation of India), Dr Lam Peng Er (National University of Singapore), Dr David Brewster (Australian National University), Dr Nong Hong (National Institute for SCS Studies, China), Ms Connie Rahakundini Bakrie (IODAS, Indonesia) and Dr Vo Xuan Vinh (Vietnam).
The seminar attracted many parties including university students to become participants.
(Uu.B003/H-YH/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
