The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said that South China Sea discussions, including the Code of Conduct (COC) talks, will proceed even as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit prioritizes energy, food, and migrant worker issues.
In a message to reporters, DFA ASEAN spokesperson Dax Imperial said this streamlining comes in response to the energy crisis caused by ongoing Middle East tensions.
“Discussions and engagements on COC negotiations, as well as other agenda items within ASEAN, will continue,” Imperial said.
“While we are putting more focus on the most important issues, we continue to work on other areas important to the country and the region,” he added.
In late January, DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro announced that ASEAN member states’ technical working groups will meet face-to-face monthly to accelerate negotiations on a binding COC, which the bloc aims to finalize this year under Philippine chairship.
This statement follows President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s announcement that the May ASEAN Summit will be streamlined, focusing on managing the Middle East war’s economic impact.
