MANILA, Philippines - Malaysia respects the Philippines’ decision to bring its territorial dispute with China to a United Nations tribunal, a Malaysian official said recently.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, who was in Manila for a working visit, told Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario last Thursday that Malaysia had also resorted to international legal adjudication in the past.
During a meeting, Del Rosario briefed Anifah on the two rules-based components of the Philippines’ approach to the West Philippine Sea issue: the arbitration case filed by the Philippines and the Code of Conduct.
Both expressed support for the expeditious beginning of negotiations on the Code of Conduct, which will be taken up at the 46th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) to be held in Brunei starting today until July 2.
Anifah and Del Rosario also discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Malaysia, including the convening of the 8th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) preferably within the year.
The JCM, which will be hosted by Malaysia, is the main bilateral consultative mechanism between the Philippines and Malaysia.
Del Rosario thanked his counterpart for Malaysia’s commitment to the peace talks between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and requested their support for the closure of the tripartite review process.
The two ministers also discussed cooperation in relation to the standoff in Lahad Datu, Sabah, between the army of the Sulu sultanate and Malaysian security forces.
Anifah’s visit was his first trip to an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) capital following his reappointment as foreign minister.
Last October, Anifah was also in Manila with Prime Minister Najib Razak for the signing of the framework agreement between the government and the MILF.