MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III is expected to ask his fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) leaders to work toward a quick finalization of a Code of Conduct (COC) for the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).

Aquino will be attending the 24th ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from May 10-11. According to Assistant Secretary Charles Jose of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Aquino’s agenda includes pushing for “the early conclusion of the COC.”

“I think the other ASEAN countries also share our desire to have an early conclusion of the COC and I think this sentiment has been expressed in the previous ASEAN meetings, in the previous ASEAN statements,” Jose told reporters on Wednesday, May 7.

Jose said an expression of “strong desire” from the other leaders, will give negotiating members the mandate needed to work on the COC. But Jose also emphasized that the “Philippines is encouraged by the recent developments” in the drafting of the document.

“There have been 3 meetings thus far since September 2013; and we take note of the discussions of the working groups on the crafting of the COC,” he said.

The Philippines is currently involved in a maritime dispute with China in the South China Sea, notably over Ayungin Shoal, an outpost in the remote Spratly Islands. Other ASEAN countries like Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei are also claimants of territories in the South China Sea.

While China will not be present at the summit, Jose said the Philippines remains optimistic that “China will move in the same pace that we are moving towards this COC.” He did not give a timetable as to when ASEAN hopes to finish a draft on the COC.

Aside from the COC, Jose said Aquino will likely inform other ASEAN leaders about the progress of the Philippines’ memorial submission before the tribunal for the law of the sea.

He said there will also likely be discussions on the general situation in the South China Sea, and a shared “statement of concern” by ASEAN on the situation, as well as an expression of desire to resolve disputes in a peaceful manner.

In a recent visit to the Philippines by US President Barack Obama, the world leader voiced his support for the Philippines’ decision to raise its maritime dispute with China before an international arbitral tribunal, and the country’s bid for a binding Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC).

No TPP talk

Aquino will be attending 5 meetings in Myanmar on Sunday, May 11, including:

• 24th ASEAN Summit Plenary 
• 24th ASEAN Summit Retreat 
• ASEAN Leaders’ Interface Meeting with Representatives of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) 
• ASEAN Leaders Interface Meeting with Representatives of the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
• ASEAN Leaders Meeting with ASEAN Youth

He will also attend the welcome dinner hosted by Myanmar President U Thein Sein for all ASEAN leaders and their delegations on Saturday, May 10.

Jose said Myanmar’s theme for the summit highlights the importance of a united ASEAN and “its commitment to contribute to the realization of a politically cohesive, economically integrated, socially responsible, and people-centered community.”

Leaders are expected to discuss the progress of the implementation of the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community, the initiative for ASEAN Integration Work Plan II and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity, as well as exchange views on the future of ASEAN community and the external relations and future directions.

Current regional and international issues will also take center stage, and Myanmar will brief the leaders on its preparations for ASEAN’s participation in the G-20 Summit to be held in November 2014.

But Jose said there is no indication there will be discussions on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a free trade pact being negotiated among 12 Pacific Rim countries.

The TPP is an ambitious effort that, if finally concluded, will not only reduce tariffs among participating markets, but also establish standards for a number of issues, such as intellectual property, environment protection, and labor rights.

The TPP is being negotiated between the US and 11 other countries, namely Canada, Mexico, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei. These countries account for about 40% of the global economy. – Rappler.com