They have stressed that principles of international law and noninterference are crucial elements of regional peace. “Developments beyond Southeast Asia, including unilateral actions that carry cross-regional implications continue to affect regional stability and erode multilateral institutions and erode the rules-based international order,” said Lazaro. Across the region, Lazaro said “tensions at sea, protracted internal conflicts, and then result in moderate dying concerns” have persisted. “Taken together, these realities underscore the enduring importance of ASEAN's time-honored principles of restraint, dialogue, and adherence,” she said. “We continue to uphold international law, principles enshrined in the TAC and the UN Charter, and respect for ASEAN centrality as the foundations of our foreign policy,” she said.