US Secretary of State Emphasizes 50-Year Partnership, US Disbursed 2.5 Billion Dollars for ASEAN

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio/DOK U.S. Department of State

JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that ASEAN remains the main channel for Washington's involvement in Southeast Asia. This commitment is accompanied by a strategic investment of 2.5 billion US dollars to strengthen economic and regional cooperation.

Anadolu Agency quoted Wednesday, July 22, saying Rubio made the statement at the ASEAN-US Ministerial Post-Meeting Conference in Manila, Philippines, Wednesday.

"We are with ASEAN 100 percent. ASEAN is the main mechanism for us to engage in this region, and you will continue to see our commitment at the highest level," Rubio said.

Rubio said ASEAN's progress also concerns the national interests of the United States. Therefore, Washington wants to remain a long-term partner for countries in the region.

"We invest because the development of ASEAN is also the interest of the United States," he said.

According to Rubio, the direction of the 21st century will be largely determined by developments in this region. He also said that the security and prosperity of the US and Southeast Asia are closely linked.

Washington wants to be involved in the development of the digital economy, the expansion of energy sources, and the development of a safer supply chain in ASEAN.

Rubio said the US wants to be one of the main and most trusted partners in these three areas.

In addition to the strategic investment of 2.5 billion US dollars, Washington has prepared assistance of nearly 130 million US dollars for mine clearance activities in ASEAN countries.

Rubio emphasized that the US wants to remain a reliable partner for ASEAN for the next 50 years and beyond.

On the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting, Rubio also met with the foreign ministers of Australia, India, and Japan. The four countries are members of the Quad.

Through his X account, Rubio said the Quad cooperation is important to support ASEAN's priorities and centrality or ASEAN's main role in regional cooperation.

The Quad is made up of the United States, India, Australia, and Japan. The group focuses on security, economic cooperation, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.

Rubio said the four countries share a common vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, based on the rule of law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

"Quad remains a priority and we will meet again later this year," he said.