WASHINGTON D.C., 19 May 2015 – ASEAN and the United States of America reiterated their commitment to deepen cooperation under the framework of the ASEAN-U.S. Enhanced Partnership and to bring the relationship to a new height. This was the proposition of the 28th ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue that was successfully convened at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on 15 May.
In his opening remarks, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Antony J Blinken reaffirmed U.S.' strong and unwavering commitment to Southeast Asia through the region's most "important and dynamic" institution – ASEAN. As peace and stability remain the first and foremost condition for the region's continued growth, the U.S. committed to continue working with ASEAN to address regional security challenges, build capacity to enhance ASEAN's economic competitiveness, and strengthen the socio-cultural and people-to-people ties.
The two sides had candid and extensive discussions on the regional political and security landscape. Acknowledging the strategic challenges facing the region, both sides shared their vision of promoting a rules-based and norms-based regional architecture and patterns of behavior that are conducive for regional peace and stability. ASEAN welcomed the constructive engagement of the U.S. and other major powers in the region, as well as their valuable contributions to ASEAN Community building efforts.
The U.S. expressed its strong support for ASEAN unity and centrality and pledged its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus, the East Asia Summit, and the Expanded Maritime Forum, to strengthen collaboration in addressing regional security challenges. These include, among others, maritime security and marine environment protection, cyber security, transnational crime and international terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, trafficking in persons, climate change and disaster management.
The dialogue took note of the serious concerns over the on-going developments in the South China Sea and its long-term implications for the regional strategic balance. Stressing the importance of peace, security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea, both sides concurred that efforts must be expedited to ensure the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties, especially in exercising self-restraint and avoiding actions or behaviors that might escalate tensions or further complicate the situation. They voiced their support for the peaceful resolution of all disputes in the South China Sea without the use or threat to use of force, in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including UNCLOS. They also encouraged the parties concerned to work expeditiously towards the conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
They also recognised the need to work towards elevating the ASEAN-U.S. Dialogue Partnership to a strategic level.