US supports ASEAN efforts to preserve rules-based order in Indo-Pacific

The US Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham. (Photo: ANTARA)

Jakarta (VNA) - The US Ambassador to theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Yohannes Abraham said the USsupports the bloc's efforts to preserve the international rules-based order inthe Indo-Pacific.

During an interview with ANTARA on May 26 in Jakarta,the ambassador affirmed that the US-ASEAN partnership, which has been runningfor 45 years, is based on shared values and principles, such as theinternational system of laws, agreements, and regulations, as well as theprotection of the sovereign rights of nations.

"We've been grateful to work with ASEAN topromote, defend, and enhance that rules-based international system of laws,agreements, and principles. And we look forward to finding opportunities to doso in the future," he said.

ASEAN develops relations, dialogue, cooperation, andpartnerships with countries and sub-regional, regional, and internationalorganisations and institutions. The US began engaging in ASEAN as a dialoguepartner in 1977.

Southeast Asia is an important and dynamic region,Abraham said. It has a central role in supporting the stability of theIndo-Pacific. Therefore, he added that the US will always work with and throughASEAN to create a peaceful, prosperous, and stable region.

"It is in the US' national interest to see ASEANprosperous, see it independent, resilient, and we want to work with ASEAN forall of our shared benefits," he said./.

VNA