ASEAN Foreign Ministers Discuss Summit Preparations and Regional Issues in Manila

On November 14, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 32nd ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting and the 39th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting were held in Manila, the Philippines. The ministers reviewed and largely completed preparations for the 49th ASEAN Summit and related summits, scheduled for November 15–17 in Manila. That day, ASEAN foreign ministers also held expanded informal consultations on implementing the leaders’ Five-Point Consensus.

ASEAN foreign ministers meet to prepare for the 49th ASEAN Summit.（VietVance）

The ministers said the summit would assess the results of cooperation and discuss implementing ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and strategic plans for political security, the economy, sociocultural affairs and connectivity. They called for stronger internal unity, expanded intraregional trade and investment, use of the existing network of free trade agreements, and consideration of new agreements with potential partners.

On regional issues, the ministers expressed concern about the wide-ranging effects of geopolitical tensions and called for continued implementation of the declaration on responding to the Middle East crisis to safeguard regional energy and food security. They said Myanmar had seen some progress after its election and that ASEAN would continue supporting its implementation of the Five-Point Consensus. The ministers also agreed to advance negotiations on a South China Sea code of conduct to better manage the situation there.

On behalf of Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung, Deputy Foreign Minister Đặng Hoàng Giang led Vietnam’s delegation at the meetings. He called on ASEAN to strengthen dialogue, build trust and promote preventive diplomacy, improve its ability to address drug trafficking, online scams and transboundary haze, and work toward an effective South China Sea code of conduct consistent with international law. Vietnam also supports stronger ASEAN engagement with Myanmar to promote dialogue and reconciliation.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Đặng Hoàng Giang leads the delegation attending the 32nd ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting.（VietVance）

Đặng Hoàng Giang said ASEAN should turn commitments into concrete action and work with Indonesia, Thailand and other member states to bring the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases into operation as soon as possible. On the afternoon of November 14, ASEAN foreign ministers witnessed the signing of documents for Slovenia, Slovakia and Cyprus to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, bringing the total number of participating countries to 65.

Source: VietVance