Foreign ministers and diplomats from ASEAN member countries discussed awide range of issues regarding the East Asian Summit at the SpecialInformal ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on the East Asian Summit(EAS), held in Bangkok , Thailand on April 11.
While deliberating the Summit’s prospects following Russia and the USjoining EAS, delegates agreed that the expansion would affect theregional development structure, Indonesia Foreign Minister Marty M.Natalegawa said at a press briefing on the same day.
The meeting also discussed measures to maintain the central role ofthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), scenarios where EASwould be seen as a leading forum to heighten ASEAN’s position andcontributions at international forums, and where EAS would have capacityto cope with both current and emerging issues.
The issue of ensuring maritime security was also put on the table.
Delegates highlighted the need for ASEAN to uphold its leading role increating plans to deal with traditional and non-traditional challengesand raise initiatives to avoid the adverse impacts of geopoliticalchanges.
ASEAN is seen as capable of influencingthe flow of events to turn challenges into opportunities, enhancingpeace, stability and prosperity.
This process mustbe conducted on the basis of cooperation, including the cooperationbetween ASEAN and EAS participants, and sensitivity to the bloc’scurrent position on the issues.
A Vietnamese delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended the event./.
While deliberating the Summit’s prospects following Russia and the USjoining EAS, delegates agreed that the expansion would affect theregional development structure, Indonesia Foreign Minister Marty M.Natalegawa said at a press briefing on the same day.
The meeting also discussed measures to maintain the central role ofthe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), scenarios where EASwould be seen as a leading forum to heighten ASEAN’s position andcontributions at international forums, and where EAS would have capacityto cope with both current and emerging issues.
The issue of ensuring maritime security was also put on the table.
Delegates highlighted the need for ASEAN to uphold its leading role increating plans to deal with traditional and non-traditional challengesand raise initiatives to avoid the adverse impacts of geopoliticalchanges.
ASEAN is seen as capable of influencingthe flow of events to turn challenges into opportunities, enhancingpeace, stability and prosperity.
This process mustbe conducted on the basis of cooperation, including the cooperationbetween ASEAN and EAS participants, and sensitivity to the bloc’scurrent position on the issues.
A Vietnamese delegation headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended the event./.
