(VOVworld) – On Tuesday, Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon called on parties concerned in disputes in the East Sea to abide by international law and avoid taking actions that could fuel tensions.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon speaks to the press at the UN Headquarters, New York. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The statement was made after the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague made a ruling on a dispute between the Philippines and China over maritime claims in the East Sea. Speaking to the press at the UN Headquarters, spokesman for the UN Chief Stephane Dujarric said Mr. Ban Ki-moon calls on all parties to resolve disputes in the East Sea in a peaceful and amicable manner through dialogue and in conformity with international law, including the UN Charter.

Ban expressed his hope that the on-going consultation on a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China based on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) will help promote mutual understanding between the parties.