Philippines to appear before court over South China Sea disputeNovember 24, 2015 - 15:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Lawyers for the Philippines will appear before a panel of international judges in The Hague on Tuesday, November 24, seeking a ruling that could bolster territorial claims by a series of countries against China in the resource-rich South China Sea, Reuters reports. The Philippines is asking the Permanent Court of Arbitration to recognize its right to exploit waters within 200 nautical miles of its coastline, under the terms of a UN convention. China, which claims economic and territorial rights in almost the entire body of water, has boycotted the proceedings and rejects the court's authority in the case. But experts say the ruling could influence other cases in the heated South China Sea dispute - involving Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and other countries. Indonesia has signaled it may also go to the courts. The claims by an increasingly assertive China - based on specks of rock that it owns, dotted throughout the area with names like Scarborough Shoal and Mischief Reef - have triggered protests among its neighbors around the Pacific rim. The United States, traditionally the region's dominant security player, also objects to China's moves, sending military aircraft to survey China's development activities. The Philippines' case is based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) - a pact that does not cover matters of sovereignty, but outlines a system of territory and economic zones that can be claimed from features such as islands, rocks and reefs. The Philippines will make submissions on 15 claims during the proceedings, which are expected to last around a week. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |