Updated: 10/25/2012 07:49

Singapore supports zero draft Code of Conduct to settle South China Sea dispute

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, K Shanmugam, says he support a proposal by Indonesia to help settle the South China Sea dispute.

He was referring to the early draft, or zero draft, of the Code of Conduct.

He also praised Indonesia's efforts in the search for a lasting solution to the territorial dispute, which involves six countries, four of which are ASEAN member states.

Mr Shanmugam said this after he met his Indonesian counterpart Dr Marty Natalegawa in Yogyakarta, Central Java today.

On his part, Dr Natalegawa said representatives of ASEAN and China will meet in Thailand next week to put forth their ideas on the Zero Draft COC.

The meeting between the two foreign ministers complements the annual meeting between the leaders of Singapore and Indonesia.

As for relations between Singapore and Indonesia, both leaders agreed that ties remain strong and robust.