Aquino raises Spratlys issue, talks with Obama at US-ASEAN meet

President Benigno Aquino III brought up the territorial dispute over the Spratly Islands early Saturday (Manila time) at a leaders’ meeting of the United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (US-ASEAN)in New York. Aquino cited the Spratly Islands row, where the Philippines is one of the claimants, as one of the issues that must be addressed through peaceful means. “Today the issue that occupies a growing concern is the competing territorial claims within the South China Sea, including our own Kalayaan Islands. Such competing claims can serve as flashpoints for conflict as they did in the 1990s," he said in his statement at the meeting. Aquino also had a quick talk with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the meeting at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, government-run dzRB radio reported. While the report did not give further details of what they discussed, it said Aquino and Obama were seated beside each other during the closed-door meeting. The Spratly Islands are a group of small islands believed to be rich in natural resources, and contested by countries in the region, including the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and China. Aquino said his administration remains committed to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and strongly supports the drafting of a formal code for the South China Sea in which claimants vow to adhere to diplomatic processes to resolve territorial disputes. “I believe this is consistent with [US] Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s pronouncements on the South China Sea made just in July of this year, supporting collaborative diplomatic processes. As a peace-loving country, the Philippines supports any efforts to deal with potential irritants in the most peaceful way possible," he said. On the other hand, he said the US has been the Philippines’ staunchest partner in security cooperation in the region, and will remain so throughout the course of his administration. He thanked the US government for participating in joint counter-terrorism efforts in Mindanao; for its support in developing Philippine defense capabilities through assistance and training programs; and for its assistance in times of natural disasters. “There are many more opportunities for us and the United States to work together on initiatives such as human rights cooperation, science and technology, biodiversity conservation, and disaster management to build a cohesive Socio-Cultural Community," Aquino said. Aquino also recognized the United States’ commitment to reinvigorating its relationship with the ASEAN region and individual nations, at a time of ever-increasing complexity in global affairs. “We, in turn, welcome this re-invigoration as it leads to timely clarity, allowing all of us to fully engage with each other. This can only lead to the fulfillment of our dreams for our peoples, which in the simplest possible terms is a better, more dignified life," he said. “The individual histories of our nations have led us to this point, where old enmities have given way to new friendships, even as old friendships have matured. We are at a point where our respective peoples can look forward to deepening their ties—political, commercial, and cultural—not only with their neighbors, but with all the nations of this world. All our citizens ask of us to keep the peace, to be prudent stewards of our planet, and to ensure that the benefits of growth redound to all, and not merely a few," he added. Nautical highway Aquino said he looks forward to the development of a nautical highway to ensure that “we remain connected to our neighbors in Southeast Asia." “Forging public-private partnerships to address development issues is a key priority of my administration and I believe these partnerships will make the connectivity initiative in ASEAN a reality," he said. Aquino said the US and ASEAN’s common desire to intensify their partnership comes at a “particularly crucial time" and should reach a consensus that will promote not only a deeper, more harmonious US-ASEAN partnership, but also continued stability and peace in the region. He said the first and second generations of ASEAN leaders have transformed association from a regular gathering of leaders into a fully multilateral organization. “The task of our generation—the first generation of leaders to be born as independent citizens of our respective nations—is to turn this Charter into a more binding commitment to our mutual economic and political interests," Aquino said. Since the ASEAN Charter came into being in 2008, the ASEAN has been conscious in pursuing initiatives to build the ASEAN community along three pillars: political-security; economic; and socio-cultural. Aquino welcomed and appreciated the United States’ support for the strengthening of ASEAN’s regional architecture, from the US’ interest in joining the East Asia Summit, to its participation in such mechanisms as the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus and the ASEAN Regional Forum. “We are keen on discussing strategic political and security, economic, and socio-cultural issues with our new partners. In this vein, we appreciate the US’ recognition of ASEAN’s centrality in the evolving regional architecture. I am confident that this architecture will be built on the firm ground of ASEAN’s community-building goals," he said. “What is clear is that while we do not propose to diminish our individual sovereignty, we continue to adhere to the belief that there is much to be gained by cooperation and consultation. For this reason, the expansion of consultative and cooperative gatherings is in our mutual interest," he added. Aquino noted the US is a major trading partner of ASEAN, and the association in turn has been one of the fastest growing export markets and host of US investments. “I am confident that the ASEAN-US Trade and Investment Framework Arrangement will lead to an economically viable and strong ASEAN which in turn will lead to economic growth, job creation, and improved welfare of our peoples," he said. On the other hand, he said the ASEAN expects the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity crafted by a group of visionaries to be ready for the ASEAN Summit next month. Aquino also said the US and ASEAN must connect east and west through genuine cooperation, and can begin by sending a message to the world that ASEAN is a force for good. The Philippines is Country Coordinator of ASEAN-US relations. “We have it in our hands to connect East and West, not in the ways that caused so much misunderstanding in the past, but rather, on the basis of what we can all hold in common today: a world in which our peoples and ourselves, have been born free citizens, and therefore, can engage in genuine cooperation. Let us begin by sending a message to the world: ASEAN is a force –for good, for peace, and for the continued prosperity of our respective peoples," Aquino said. US leadership role Obama thanked ASEAN leaders who attended the meeting, which he said reflects ASEAN’s growing importance and the unprecedented cooperation between ASEAN and the US. “As a Pacific nation, the United States has an enormous stake in the people and the future of Asia. The region is home to some of our largest trading partners and buys many of our exports, supporting millions of American jobs. We need partnerships with Asian nations to meet the challenges of growing our economy, preventing proliferation and addressing climate change," Obaqma said. “As President, I’ve, therefore, made it clear that the United States intends to play a leadership role in Asia. So we’ve strengthened old alliances; we've deepened new partnerships, as we are doing with China; and we’ve reengaged with regional organizations, including ASEAN," he added. Last year in Singapore, Obama became the first American President to meet with all 10 ASEAN leaders. “Today, I’m pleased to host our second meeting as we elevate our partnership to meet the shared challenges and opportunities of the 21st century," he said. He said they will focus on creating sustainable economic growth as US trade with ASEAN countries is growing. Also, he said the US will focus on deepening political and security cooperation. “ASEAN countries are increasingly playing a leadership role in the region, and ASEAN itself has the potential to be a very positive force in global affairs. That is why the United States has accepted ASEAN’s invitation to join the East Asia summit, which will help us meet regional and global challenges together. And I look forward to attending the East Asia Summit in Jakarta next year," he said. “So, again, I want to thank my fellow leaders for being here. And I look forward to sustaining our momentum on my visits in November to Indonesia, Korea and Japan, where we’ll work together at the APEC summit to ensure strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth," he added. ASEAN's members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. — LBG/HGS, GMANews.TV