Malaysia calls for talks over Spratlys

Malaysia calls for talks over Spratlys

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuter): Malaysia yesterday called for formal talks over the disputed Spratly Islands to ensure stability in the region, the national Bernama news agency reported.

"I think it is very timely that we begin on a formal basis some discussions as to how we need to handle this," Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi said, commenting on the escalating tension over the islands.

He said he was concerned over recent moves by the Philippines and China to stake claims on the cluster of isles, reefs and atolls in the South China Sea, believed to be rich in oil and minerals and straddling an important shipping lane.

The Spratlys issue is expected to be one of the main items on the agenda at the annual ASEAN ministerial meeting next month in Brunei.

Abdullah said formal discussions were needed because now the only way of finding out developments in the area was through news reports based on statements by leaders of the various claimants. The Spratlys are claimed in whole or in part by China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan.