Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida called for peaceful settlement and compliance to international law in disputes in the East Sea when meeting with his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith on July 24.

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (L) and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith (Source: kyodonews.jp)

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 49^th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting which is underway in Laos’ capital of Vientiane, Japan’s Kyodo reported.

According to the press agency, the Japanese Foreign Minister conveyed his country’s stance in the East Sea issue, stressing the importance of respecting international law in the disputes, especially after a tribunal in The Hague, the Netherlands, rejected China's claims to disputed waters in the East Sea.

Kishida expressed his expectations that Laos, as this year’s chair of the 10-member bloc, will play an active role in addressing the East Sea issue.

Although details of Kishida’s talks with his Lao counterpart have not been revealed, the diplomat confirmed Tokyo’s firm stance on the East Sea issue.

Earlier the same day, the foreign minister attended a series of regional meetings of ASEAN in the Laos’ capital city.

The minister also said that Japan will support Laos' development in the energy and farming sectors.

(Source: VNA)