Opening of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deploying the final series of important preparatory activities for the 19th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related conferences, on the morning of November 15 in Bali (Indonesia), the 44th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-44) solemnly opened.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

As planned, the ministers will discuss and review the overall agenda of the 19th ASEAN Summit and related conferences as reported by the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (ASEAN SOM) after the last two days of meetings.

Raising the ASEAN flag and other countries' flags at the conference venue. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The agenda items reviewed by AMM-44 and submitted to senior leaders include a series of topics and issues related to building the ASEAN Community on three pillars, the ASEAN Community in the global community of nations, and international and regional issues of common concern such as promoting negotiations on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ).

There are also issues on the implementation of the ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, the ASEAN Maritime Forum, maritime cooperation and the implementation of the Declaration of the Parties on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea, the implementation of the goals of building the ASEAN community in 2011, ASEAN connectivity, the ASEAN single visa policy, and relations between ASEAN and its dialogue partners.

According to VNA/Vietnam+