JAKARTA - The inclusion of Turkey as a Dialogue Partner and Germany and Qatar as Sectoral Dialogue Partners shows the continued trust of international partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Philippine Foreign Minister Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference after the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM) Plenary Session on Tuesday (21/7), Foreign Minister Lazaro said ASEAN foreign ministers had agreed on important decisions to deepen the bloc's involvement with the international community.
Foreign Minister Lazarao announced that ASEAN had granted sectoral dialogue partner status to Germany and Qatar and officially accepted Turkey as the 12th dialogue partner.
"This development shows the continued confidence of our partners in ASEAN. We also see this as a positive step in realizing the aspirations set out in the ASEAN Community Vision 2045," said Foreign Minister Lazaro at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
He emphasized that Germany was given the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner in recognition of its long-standing support for ASEAN and its willingness to further contribute to the development of the ASEAN Community.
Meanwhile, Qatar received the same status due to its increasing cooperation with ASEAN in the fields of diplomacy, development, humanitarian assistance, education, and connectivity, as well as its membership in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), added Foreign Minister Lazaro.
During the plenary session, the foreign ministers also expressed full support for the 50th anniversary of the TAC on July 24, when Poland, Romania, Sweden, and Lithuania are expected to officially join the agreement.
In addition, Foreign Minister Lazaro said that the foreign ministers adopted important documents such as the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Developing Situation in the Middle East and Guidelines on ASEAN's Engagement with High Contracting Parties to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
"Given the escalating conflict in the Middle East, especially between the United States and Iran, and the need to strengthen ASEAN's collective position in maintaining peace and stability in the region, and as proposed by the Philippines, as the ASEAN Chair, we agree to issue an ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Statement on the Developing Situation in the Middle East," he explained.
Meanwhile, the Guidelines are an important document that establishes a framework for practical cooperation between ASEAN and treaty-bound parties in support of regional development, economic growth, and stronger political, economic, and socio-cultural relations.
The 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting will continue this week with ASEAN's engagement with its Dialogue Partners, ASEAN Plus Three (APT), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), East Asia Summit (EAS), and the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.
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