MACTAN, Cebu -- Talks about the South China Sea code of conduct is expected to be part of the agenda of the ASEAN 2026 summit, according to an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
However, no binding agreement are expected to be finalized and adopted during the summit.
"You know, the discussions and the negotiations on the COC while it’s ASEAN-related it is a separate negotiation by itself," said Asec. Dominic Xavier Imperial, DFA Spokesperson on ASEAN.
"It will be discussed during this summit, it will form part of the discussions under specific agenda which the regional and international issues, so it will still be part of the discussions," he added.
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The Philippines, whose maritime personnel have been victims of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, is pushing to adopt the COC by the end of 2026.
The country, however, remains optimistic over progress on talks about the code of conduct, as ASEAN countries committed for more frequent discussions on the matter.
"What I can share with you on the negotiations is we are encouraged by the progress that we are seeing; also, very encouraged by the commitment of all parties – so, this is the 10 ASEAN countries and China sitting down together – we are very encouraged by that commitment," the DFA spokesperson added.
"And as indicated and mentioned back in January, when our Secretary of Foreign Affairs chaired the AMM retreat back in January here also in Cebu, there was a mention on commitment for more frequent meetings," Imperial said.
"So, those frequent meetings are still happening. So, we are also very encouraged about what’s happening there. In fact, we just concluded one last month, and so now we are expecting another meeting to happen in a couple of weeks from now. So, we are looking at that position when it comes to the status of the negotiations on the COC," he added.
President Ferdinand Marcos earlier called on ASEAN leaders to accelerate the adoption of a legally binding agreement during its chairship this year.
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