Int'l experts criticize Hague arbitration tribunal over South China Sea

EXPERTS: MANILA'S INITIATION "CATASTROPHIC"

The Philippines' call for arbitration is a "catastrophic mistake" and an undisguised disregard for good neighborly relations, said Vladimir Djukanovic, a member of the Serbian National Assembly, on Wednesday.

Djukanovic noted that the move aims to prolong the process of finding a solution to this dispute and help the United States maintain its influence on trade in the South China Sea.

Djukanovic also accused the United States of trying to "suppress Chinese interests everywhere they can -- whether here in the Balkans or the South China Sea. They will intensively do all in their power to weaken the influence of... China because they watch for their own interests."

Manila will "gain nothing in the end," he added.

Iran's Islamic Motalefeh Party said in a statement Wednesday that "based on the international agreements and conventions, the People's Republic of China is entitled not to allow any violation of its territorial sovereignty."

Mehdi Soli, the party's international deputy, also criticized the US unacceptable "maritime and aerial patrolling in the territorial waters of other states," which has become the source of tension among the regional states.

"The intervention of nonregional powers is not acceptable in this regard," and Washington should "refrain from ... violating the sovereignty of the countries" and "avoid provocative measures to inflame the differences," the party added.

"When two countries are at odds over a certain issue, they should firstly resort to direct talks and dialogue," which is the only means to settle the disputes over the South China Sea, the statement stressed.

Serbia's Djukanovic also stressed that all open issues should be resolved bilaterally without involvement of a third party, adding that the Philippines is unwise to "act on behalf of the United States in this case."

"It's always best for neighbors to sit down and talk, and this is the way to solve their open issues," he said.