By Massita Ahmad
SINGAPORE, March 30 (NNN-Bernama) — The United States (US) and Singapore shared deep concern about the situation in Myanmar and the challenges it poses to regional stability, according to the US-Singapore Joint Leaders’ Statement issued here Wednesday.
“We continue to call for an end to violence against civilians in Myanmar, the release of all political detainees, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint and foreign detainees; unhindered humanitarian access; and for Myanmar to return to its path of democratic transition.
“We appreciate the constructive role played by Singapore and ASEAN in facilitating a peaceful solution in the interest of the people of Myanmar, and we call for the Myanmar military regime to urgently implement the ASEAN Five Point Consensus,” it said.
The statement noted both countries’ concern that the crisis has reversed years of economic progress in Myanmar and increased the risk of illicit finance.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is currently in the US for a working visit from March 26 to April 2.
The statement also said both countries recognised that threats to the UN Charter and rules-based international order anywhere, including Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, risking peace and prosperity everywhere.
“The war in Ukraine has a negative impact on the Indo-Pacific region, which already faces many complex challenges. Taken together, the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century demand deeper cooperation between us,” it said.
In the maritime domain, the US and Singapore reaffirmed the right of freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the seas accorded by international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“We reaffirm the need to pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS, which sets out the legal framework within which all activities in the oceans and seas must be carried out,” it said.
The statement added that they reaffirmed that all concerned parties must abide by the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.
Both leaders reiterated their support for ASEAN-led efforts to develop an effective and substantive Code of Conduct for the South China Sea that upholds the legitimate rights and interests of all parties and is consistent with UNCLOS, it said.
— NNN-BERNAMA