Diplomats convene ahead of ASEAN meet

MANILA, Philippines — Top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations convened yesterday to prepare for the opening of the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits today.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Teresa Lazaro led the last ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) yesterday, where the diplomats exchanged views on key regional and international issues, including the region’s external relations and efforts to advance ASEAN Community-building.

In her opening remarks, Lazaro said the Philippines assumed the ASEAN chairship and set sail with a clear course anchored on priorities, but the chairship was not without its challenges.

“Yet, as with any ship sailing through unpredictable waters, the year brought unprecedented head winds, particularly the unfolding crisis in the Middle East, the natural calamities that besiege our nations and uncertainties that test the norms of multilateralism,” Lazaro said.

The secretary said the Philippines is grateful for the trust and cooperation and partnership of all ASEAN member-states.

During the AMM, Lazaro also announced the establishment of the ASEAN Maritime Center in the Philippines which will serve as a knowledge hub and support platform on maritime-related initiatives and issues in accordance with the priorities identified by the ASEAN member-states.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn also participated in the AMM.

The ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting also convened yesterday to advance preparations for the Summit.

Meanwhile, Lazaro said that 80 percent of the discussions on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea have been finished.