ASEAN foreign ministers meeting gets underway

MANILA, Philippines — The 59th ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila officially began yesterday.

At the meeting, chaired by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, the Philippines will seek to advance its priorities, strengthen ASEAN unity and centrality and deepen regional and international cooperation. The meeting ends on July 24.

The week-long engagements will culminate in the Commemorative Activity marking the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) on July 24.

“Over the past seven months, we have worked closely with our fellow ASEAN member-states and our partners to advance a chairship that is responsive to the challenges and opportunities confronting our region. As we welcome ASEAN foreign ministers, external partners and high-contracting parties of the TAC to Manila, we look forward to productive discussions that will reinforce ASEAN centrality, strengthen our partnerships and deliver meaningful outcomes for the region and beyond,” Lazaro said. — Helen Flores