The 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers and related (Photo:VNA)In the framework of the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM 48) and related meetings, the 16th ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 5th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (EAS FMM-5) took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 6.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended the events and discussed ways to bolster regional links.
ASEAN ministers joined partners from China and the Republic of Korea (RoK) at the 16th ASEAN+3, stressing that it is a major cooperation mechanism to promote links in the region towards building an East Asian Community.
They also agreed to continue the ASEAN+3 cooperation mechanism from 2013-2017 and reviewed recommendations of the East Asia Vision Group II focusing on trade, investment, finance, tourism, education, environment, climate change, disaster management, energy, small- and medium-sized enterprises, youth initiatives, communications, science-technology, healthcare, poverty reduction, culture and people-to-people exchange.
During the EAS FMM-5 between ten ASEAN member nations and their partners – China, the RoK, Japan, Australia, India, New Zealand, Russia and the US, ministers affirmed that the East Asia Summit is the most important forum in the regional shaping-structure, providing a venue for leaders to discuss strategic issues related to peace, security and development in the region.
Ministers underlined the necessity of boosting regional connectivity, including completing negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
Related countries should enhance cooperation in energy, education, finance, healthcare, environment and ASEAN connections while paying attention to strengthening marine affiliation, disaster management, terrorism and extremism prevention and cyber security, participants said.
The 22 nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF-22) also took place on the afternoon of the same day. The closing ceremony of AMM 48 will be held later today.-VNA
