Tomorrow the 22nd summit of the countries of Southeast Asia begins in Brunei. After the failure of the previous meeting in Phnom Penh, search is on for a common approach to resolve tensions with Beijing. The nations ask for a "continued commitment" and a binding "code of conduct". North Korea’s nuclear issues: a call for "moderation" between Seoul and Pyongyang.

Bandar Seri Begawan (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Security and economic and trade ties will be the focus of the discussion of the next ASEAN summit, the 22nd in the history of the association that brings together 10 countries of Southeast Asia (Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei, Philippines, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia). The summit will open tomorrow in the Sultanate of Brunei and will provide a common line on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, which scuppered the previous meeting in Phnom Penh. The pressure from Beijing on the host nation Cambodia  in fact prevented the definition of a binding policy for the regulation of tensions in the area.

The leaders of ASEAN countries are calling for a "continued commitment" with Beijing to resolve the tensions in recent years and which could result in an actual conflict. In statement released on the eve of the summit, the President of the assembly highlights the aim to "reaffirm the commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes, without having to resort to threats or use of force."

Brunei, the host nation, hopes to achieve a binding "code of conduct" at an international legal level, that would resolve all the problems related to boundaries by the end of the year. Moreover, even the meeting of Foreign Ministers of ASEAN, held two weeks ago in preparation for the summit, devoted much time to the territorial tensions that see China, the Philippines, Vietnam in opposition to each other and which also involve Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Asean leaders are not hiding their concern over tensions on the Korean peninsula, the center of a diplomatic and nuclear crisis between Seoul and Pyongyang. They invite the parties to "exercise restraint and to respect their duties fully."

In terms of economics, the summit participants will discuss incentives for trade and investment for development. Meanwhile work continues on the creation of a common block - in the style of the European Union - among all Asian nations to be achieved by 2015.

 

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