Phnom Penh (FN), Feb. 24 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen and Malaysian prime minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob reaffirmed full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) and an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea.

The two prime ministers held bilateral meeting on Thursday at the Peace Palace.

“Both leaders reaffirmed full and effective implementation of the DOC in its entirety and the early conclusion of an effective and substantive COC in the South China Sea consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS within a mutually-agreed timeline,” according to a joint statement seen by Fresh News on Thursday.

Both leaders exchanged views in a frank and candid manner on regional and international issues of common interest and concerns such as Myanmar issue, South China Sea and geopolitical rivalry among major powers. They underscored the critical importance of ensuring the effective and timely implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) of the ASEAN Leaders.

“The two leaders agreed to continue working closely in strengthening the ASEAN Community and addressing regional and international issues under the ASEAN frameworks and other multilateral mechanisms for the common goal of maintaining the ASEAN Centrality, unity, peace, stability, sustainable development and prosperity in the region and beyond.”

On that occasion, Dato Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob also expressed full support to Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2022 under the theme “ASEAN A.C.T.: Addressing Challenges Together”.
=FRESH NEWS