| Hakim Hayat |
FOREIGN ministers from ASEAN reiterated the need to further advance its integration efforts and maintain unity amid a volatile global landscape, following the conclusion of the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Singapore recently.
These were laid out in a wide-ranging 26-page joint statement from the 10-member ASEAN.
Attending the meeting from Brunei Darussalam was Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade II Dato Seri Setia Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof.
In the joint communiqué, ASEAN member states reaffirmed their commitment to deeper economic integration through various ASEAN-led initiatives, as well as the conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and also fully tap the opportunities afforded by new technologies and innovation arising from the digital revolution but cautioned that they need to stay responsive to emerging issues, such as non-traditional security threats and environmental challenges.
The foreign ministers highlighted that discussions focussed on continued efforts to build a resilient and innovative ASEAN, ASEAN’s relations with external partners, including through ASEAN-led platforms, and the importance of ASEAN centrality and unity amidst rapid changes in Southeast Asia and beyond.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the ASEAN Leaders’ Vision for a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN while also maintaining ASEAN Centrality and unity in community-building efforts and engagement with external partners.
The ministers also reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining and promoting peace, security and stability in the region, as well as to the peaceful resolution of disputes, including full respect for legal and diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with the universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In efforts to effectively counter terrorism as well as the rise of radicalisation and violent extremism conducive to terrorism, the ministers welcomed the adoption of the Manila Declaration to Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism and the updated ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter Terrorism (ACPoA on CT) at the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC).
The Declaration encouraged ASEAN member states to combat radicalisation and violent extremism more vigorously, emphasising on deradicalisation, rehabilitation and re-integration programmes and information sharing, while the ACPoA on CT would ensure that ASEAN’s cooperation stays relevant with the new and emerging trends of terrorism and violent extremism.
The ministers said they were encouraged by the progress of the trade in services integration in ASEAN and reaffirmed the importance of pursuing an outward-looking policy through strengthening relations with our partners and further promoting dialogue and exploring new areas of cooperation based on mutual interest.
Ministers from the bloc also welcomed the Joint Statement signed between US President Donald J Trump and Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democrratic People’s Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un and urged all parties to continue working towards the realisation of lasting peace and stability on a denuclearised Korean Peninsula.
They also welcomed North Korea’s stated commitment to complete denuclearisation and its pledge to refrain from further nuclear and missile tests during this period and reiterated support for all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and international efforts to bring about the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula which will contribute to peace and stability in the region.
The 51st AMM also held several other key meetings with ASEAN’s dialogue partners including the Asean Plus Three (APT) with China, Japan and South Korea; East Asia Summit (EAS), which groups ASEAN and eight dialogue partners: China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Russia and also the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) with all EAS members, Canada and the European Union (EU), plus Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, Mongolia, North Korea, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.