MFA Spokesman's comments on the release of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on ASEAN's Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea

MFA Spokesman's comments on the release of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on ASEAN's Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea

Singapore welcomes the release of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on "ASEAN's Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea".  This statement is the result of the unceasing efforts of Indonesia.  It goes some way to repair the damage caused by the failure of the 45th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) to release the Joint Communiqué and helps to restore ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture.

Singapore and other like-minded ASEAN Member States had tried very hard to negotiate a consensus during the 45th AMM on what should be said about the South China Sea issues.  Some of the proposals put forward last week during the 45th AMM, and supported by several ASEAN Member States, were broadly similar to the Statement which has now been accepted by all ASEAN Member States.  We are glad that a week later, there is new consensus and the Statement has been issued.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE

20 JULY 2012