(VOVworld) – The international community has hailed ASEAN’s statement on the problems in the East Sea, which was released at the 24^th ASEAN Summit in Myanmar. Philippine President Benigno Aquino said he is satisfied by of the consensus reached among ASEAN leaders and their joint statement. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung that Indonesia could help to coordinate communication between Hanoi and Beijing to avoid any further escalation of tensions. Carl Thayer, an expert on Southeast Asia at Australia’s Defense Academy said the ASEAN leaders’ statement was an independent document and separate from the summit’s joint statement. It reflects ASEAN’s unity in the context of the complicated developments in the East Sea. The AFP said that ASEAN should establish a united front to protest China’s unilateral acts in the East Sea.