A joint declaration, signed by Singapore's Ministry of Law and International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), marked a major move for the country to become a venue in Asia for proceedings in cases before a special chamber of the tribunal or before the tribunal to settle disputes relating to the law of the sea, the two sides announced on Monday.

In line with this commitment, Singapore government will provide appropriate facilities to the tribunal whenever it is desirable for a special chamber of the tribunal or the tribunal to sit or exercise its functions in Singapore.

Singapore's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Law K Shanmugam thought the joint declaration is a clear endorsement of Singapore as a neutral venue for the effective settlement of international disputes.

"It also demonstrates Singapore's commitment to the international rule of law by facilitating access to ITLOS in order to serve the needs of the states of this region, with a view to promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes relating to the law of the sea," said Shanmugam.

"I am extremely grateful to the government of Singapore for its willingness to assist the tribunal in the provision of appropriate facilities whenever the tribunal considers it desirable for a special chamber of the tribunal or the tribunal to sit or exercise its functions in Singapore," said Judge Vladimir Golitsyn, president of the tribunal.

International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) is an independent judicial body, established by the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to hear any dispute concerning the interpretation or application of the UNCLOS.

Source: XINHUA