intervention at east asia summit

7/30/2019 Intervention at East Asia Summit

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As Prepared

I want to thank Foreign Minister Namhong and the people of Cambodia for hos ting us today. I am proud to be here representing the United States as a fully-

participating member of the East Asia Summit.

As President Obama underscored by joining the leaders meeting in Bal i las t November, we support the Eas t Asia Summ it as the Asia Pacifics prem ier

institution for political and s trategic iss ues, the capstone of an increasing ly mature and effective regional architecture.

This vast and rapidly-changing region has emerged as a key driver of international economics and politics. And there is an i ncreasing need for institutions that

can mobilize common action and settle disputes peacefully; for rules and norm s that help manage relations between people, markets, and nations; and for

security arrangements that continue to provide durable peace and stability. These are the bu ilding blocks o f an open, just and s ustainable o rder for the Asia-

Pacific that can safeguard the future of this region for years to come.

America is a Pacific power and we have an enduring interes t in maintaining peace and prosperity across this entire reg ion. So we are accelerating our

multifaceted engagement across the board building stronger economic ties, expanding educational and cultural exchanges, and stepping up our diplom acy.

The East Asia Summit and ASEAN are at the heart of this strategy.

From the energy minis terial in Brunei to the education minis terial in Indonesia jus t last week, the East Asia Summ it is active and making progres s across a

wide range o f issues. And the United States is increas ing our pa rticipation at every level.

Like any institution, the East Asia Summ it will be most effective if we produce concrete results for the people of the region. In Bali, President Obama outlined

three priorities that we believe should be at the heart of our cooperation together: disaster relief, nonproliferation, and maritime security. And I am pleased that

we are making progress on all three.

First, on disaster relief. From the tsunam i in Aceh in 2004 to the floods in the Philippines and Thailand las t year, to the triple disaster in Japan, we have seen

that a coordinated international response i s ess ential when catastrophe strikes.

So we continue to support the Rapid Dis aster Respons e Agreement, which establishes a legal framework to speed deliveries of supplies , services and

personnel. Laos and Singapore have already endorsed this agreement, and we are working with the Philippines to expand further. Yesterday, I encouraged

every ASEAN m embers to consider joining.

Second, on nonproliferation. We encourage all nations to join the Proliferation Security Initiative, which is cracking down on the trafficking of weapons of mass

destruction all over the world.

Over the past year, we have shown crucial unity in the face of provocations from North Korea. Going forward, it is es sential that all of us rem ain firm and unified

in pursui t of the peaceful, verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

We also view ASEAN as a partner in the broad international effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The best way to achieve the diplom atic

solution we al l seek is for the international comm unity to stay united and to keep up the press ure that has brought Iran back to the negotiating table. If we ease

the pressure or waver in our resolve, Iran will have less i ncentive to negotiate in good faith or to take the necess ary steps to address the international

communitys concerns about its nuclear program.

Third, on maritime s ecurity. In Bali, our leaders discuss ed the im portance of achieving a collaborative solu tion on the South China Sea. The United States has

no territorial claims there and we do not take sides in disputes about territorial or maritime boundaries . But we do have an interest in freedom of navigation, the

maintenance of peace and s tability, respect for international law, and unim peded lawful comm erce in the South China Sea.

And we believe the nations of the region should work collaboratively and diplom atically to resolve disputes without coercion, without intimidation, without threats ,

and without use of force.

Ill have more to say about this la ter today at the ASEAN Regional Forum. But I want to unders core one point. Whenever possible, territorial iss ues s hould be

resolved between the claimants. But broader questions abou t conduct in disputed areas and about acceptable methods of resolving disputes should be

address ed in mu ltilateral settings such as the ASEAN Regional Forum. Iss ues s uch as freedom o f navigation and lawful exploitation of maritime resources

often involve a wide region, and approaching them strictly bilaterally could be a recipe for confusion and even confrontation.

The strength of a multilateral approach is that it brings all the players in the same room and le ts them work together on the principles and mechanisms that can

lead to progress . Smaller countries can be s ure their voices are heard. And larger countries, which have a significant stake in broader regional stabili ty and

security, can pursue effective solutions to compli cated challenges.

Thats why an effective regional architecture is so important. And its why the United States is actively engaged in both the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN

July 12, 2012

Intervention at East Asia Summit

Remarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

Phnom Penh, Cambodia


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Regional Forum.

In joining the East Asia Summit last year, the United States warmly accepted ASEAN centrality. And ASEAN centrality demands ASEAN unity. It demands

leadership that seeks consens us and balance. Thats good for ASEAN and its al so good for the East Asia Sum mit.

The United States is committed to this institution. I know President Obama is looking forward to coming to Cam bodia in November. So as we look ahead to the

next leaders meeting and beyond, lets recommit to work together to strengthen the East Asia Summ it and help it live up to its status as the Asia Pacifics

premier institution for political and security issues.

intervention at east asia summit

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