Cambodian PM encourages countries concerned to continue negotiations

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Monday encouraged all parties concerned in the South China Sea dispute to continue negotiations among themselves.

 "I do not take any sides in the South China Sea dispute, but I' d like to encourage countries concerned in the dispute to continue negotiations with each other," he said in a speech during the inauguration of a river bridge here.

The premier said all parties involved in the dispute should fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) toward discussing the formulation of a code of conduct (COC).

His remarks were made as foreign ministers from 10 ASEAN countries and their dialogue partners are gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, which is set to open on Tuesday, as well as a series of related regional meetings.

In a public speech in April, Hun Sen said ASEAN could not play its role on behalf of the countries concerned in the dispute and also urged "uninvolved countries not to try to douse petrol on fire".