BINIGYANG DIIN ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., araw ng Martes ang pangangailangan na tiyakin ang ‘freedom of navigation’ para magarantiya ang daloy ng komersiyo sa South China Sea at sa Arabian Sea.
“The South China Sea and the Arabian Sea cover vital seabeds that serve as lifelines for regional and international commerce in both our regions. As such, it is necessary to provide the freedom of navigation to guarantee unimpeded commerce and to protect the marine environment through compliance to established international law, specifically UNCLOS,” ang sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos sa idinaos na 2nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit.
Ang summit aniya ay testamento ng ‘strong commitment’ ng Pilipinas sa isang nakabahaging pananaw ng kapayapaan, seguridad at tagumpay sa pagitan ng dalawang interconnected regions.
“The Philippines, as country coordinator for ASEAN-GCC relations, wishes to express its sincere appreciation to ASEAN and GCC in their counterparts for their valuable contribution and hard work for this summit,” ang winika ng Pangulo.
“Your Majesty, Your Highnesses, Excellencies, as we confront the challenges to peace and security in various regions of the world, we commend the GCC and its member states for their increasing involvement and endeavors in peacemaking and in peacebuilding,” ang sinabi pa rin ng Chief Executive.
Tinuran pa ng Pangulo na ang pagsisikap ay iniambag sa pagpapahusay ng ‘global security at katatagan sa pamamagitan ng ‘mediation, dayalogo, at diplomasya, na kinalaunan ay nagbunga ng ‘mapayapang kasunduan, prisoner exchanges, at family reunifications.’
Ayon pa sa Punong Ehekutibo, ang economic front, ang estratehikong kahalagahan ng ASEAN-GCC relations ay hindi maaaring ‘overstated.’
“We are two dynamic regions, rich in natural and human capital, bound by shared aspirations for prosperity and sustainable development,” ang sinabi ni Pangulong Marcos. ( Daris Jose)