East Asian leaders focus on regional tensions in Brunei summit
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Bandar Seri Begawan - Leaders from 18 Asia-Pacific countries Thursday stressed the need for more progress in efforts to peacefully resolve territorial disputes in the region.
While food and energy security, climate change and disaster management were supposed to top the agenda for the East Asian Summitin Brunei, discussions focused on negotiations for a code of conduct in the South China Sea.
"The focus is very much on how to ensure continued progress on the discussions for a code of conduct between China and Asean(Association of South-East Asian Nations) countries," said Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino, who has been at the forefront of calls for a speedy conclusion to the negotiations, stressed the need for the rule of law to be followed in such disputes.//DPA
