(VOVworld) – Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called on all related parties to resolve the East Sea dispute peacefully to maintain stability in Asia.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III (right) and his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yuhhoyono in Manila on May 23 (Photo: Xinhua/ VNA)

Speaking at a press conference following talks with Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, President Yudhoyono affirmed Indonesia and ASEAN’s stance to resolve disputes peacefully without using force and respect international law.

Earlier, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa committed that Indonesia will exert efforts to seek for a solution to the tense situation in the East Sea following China’s illegal deployment of its oil rig Haiyang 981 in Vietnam’s Exclusive Economic Zone and continental shelf. He said the tension between Vietnam and China is not only the bilateral issue but also the regional one, so ASEAN will have responsibility for ensuring that the two sides will hold dialogues to resolve the situation. Mr, Marty Natalegawa affirmed that China’s acts violated the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea that Beijing has committed to.