Manila, KL agree code of conduct

Manila, KL agree code of conduct

MANILA (AFP): The foreign ministers of Malaysia and the Philippines agreed on Thursday on the need for a code of conduct for the disputed Spratly islands and said they were hopeful of a deal at this month's ASEAN summit.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, on a two-day visit, confirmed that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad would attend the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) informal summit in this country later this month.

Albar said "the Philippines and Malaysia (share) the same position" on the proposed code, which would govern the conduct of countries which claim the Spratlys with the aim of preventing disputes escalating into armed conflict.

The Spratlys, a chain of tiny islets and coral reefs in the South China Sea which are believed to sit on vast mineral resources, are wholly or partially claimed by Brunei, China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. All but Brunei have troops posted on the islands.