The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered in Manila to discuss the energy crisis and threats to maritime traffic triggered by the US-Iran war. In the draft communiqué to be released after the meeting, a call will be made for freedom of navigation in the straits, including 'unimpeded' passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
The draft text seen by the AFP news agency uses a previously unused phrase, aiming for 'freedom of navigation and overflight in the straits.' In a warning to ASEAN representatives earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz would set a 'dangerous precedent' and that a fundamental principle of freedom of navigation was under threat.
Following the joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran, the closure of the strait led to energy shortages and price increases in the region. The import-dependent Philippines was forced to declare a national emergency in response. While the draft communiqué references energy cooperation among ASEAN countries, it notes that no progress has been made on the previously announced regional energy grid or fuel-sharing plan.
Tensions in the South China Sea also on the agenda
The talks in Manila began under the shadow of the latest clash between China and host Philippines in the South China Sea. China's Ambassador to Manila, Jing Quan, summoned by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, said the incident would not affect the long-running negotiations on the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea.
Jing said, 'I believe that whatever happens at the bilateral level, our desire to complete the negotiations (on the code) by the end of the year remains unchanged.' Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said he believed the agreement would be completed by the ASEAN leaders' summit in Manila in November.
Ambassador Jing emphasized that the document would not address bilateral issues such as China's territorial disputes with the Philippines, but would instead focus on 'rules of engagement' for the sea lane. Analysts warn, however, that any document acceptable to both Beijing and ASEAN member states would lack binding force.
