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Thursday, February 23, 2017
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BORACAY – Ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) emphasized the need to maintain unity in the region, during their first meeting for the 2017 Summit.
Southeast Asian leaders agreed to keep the “Asean centrality and unity” during the Foreign Ministers’ Retreat on Tuesday, according to Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs secretary Perfecto R. Yasay Jr.
The Philippines serves as chair of the Summit this year, when the Asean celebrates its 50th founding anniversary.
“It is important to have a credible, elective and cohesive Asean response in addressing domestic and regional challenges,” Yasay told the press.
The Foreign Ministers’ Retreat also highlighted planned initiatives, including “the need to redouble efforts to decrease intraregional trade” and strengthen consular assistance to Asean nationals “to promote deeper regional integration,” he said.
Ministers exchanged views on regional issues, including the West Philippine Sea dispute; security challenges such as terrorism and piracy; national disasters; climate change; irregular migration; and maritime security.
Aside from ways to improve peace, stability and prosperity, they also tackled the Asean Community Vision for 2025, especially the political security community blueprint, and strengthening external relations and “maintaining centrality in the evolving regional architecture.”
Inputs from the Foreign Ministers’ Retreat will serve as basis of discussions during high-level meetings in the coming months, Yasay said. (PNA)
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