The European Union and ASEAN have voiced concerns over mounting tensions between the two Koreas on the heels of the sinking of South Korea’s “Cheonan” naval vessel in late March.

The two organizations called on North and South Korea, as well as other concerned countries, to exercise self-control in dealing with the issue and to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

They made the request in a joint statement, following a ministerial-level conference in Madrid, Spain.