Bangkok (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham BinhMinh joined foreign ministers of ASEAN member states and the bloc’s eightdialogue partners at the 9th East Asia Summit (EAS) ForeignMinisters’ Meeting in Bangkok on August 2.
The eight dialogue partners of ASEAN are Australia,China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the US.
In his opening remarks, Thai Foreign Minister DonPramudwinai said in the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2019, Thailand believes theEAS could play an important role in promoting the agenda for sustainabledevelopment.
Regional security and stability are key to economic growth and sustainabledevelopment in the area. To this end, Don Pramudwinai hoped for constructivediscussions among the ministers so as to move ahead.
Priorities of this year’s event set by host Thailand includestrengthening cooperation in the EAS process; ASEAN connectivity, environmentconservation, disaster management and security, and promoting areas andactivities of common interest such as global health issues, pandemic diseasesand maritime cooperation.
Participants will also discuss preparation for the 14th EAS whichwill take place in the framework of the 35th ASEAN Summit in Bangkokin November.
The 26th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) is scheduled to take place thesame day.
Representatives from 30 countries, including ASEAN member states, dialoguecountries, ARF non-dialogue partner members, and guests of the Chair such asNorway, Peru, Switzerland and Turkey are attending the 52nd ASEAN ForeignMinisters’ Meeting and related meetings in Bangkok from July 29 to August3.-VNA
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