Opening Ceremony of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting
The key agenda items of the conference aimed at building the ASEAN Community by December 31, 2015.
On the morning of June 30, the 46th Annual ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM 46) officially opened at the Begawan International Convention Centre, Brunei.
The conference was attended by 10 ministers from 10 ASEAN countries. Prince Mahamed Bolkia, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chairman of AMM 46, presided over the conference.
Speaking at the opening session, His Highness Mahamed Bolkia praised the cooperation of ASEAN countries in developing the agenda for the Conference, and expressed ASEAN's determination to achieve the goals set by the region: building a united and cohesive ASEAN based on the fundamental principles and values of the entire region.
Prince Mahamed Bolkia also emphasized that one of ASEAN's greatest values today is the high level of unity and consensus it has achieved on many important ASEAN issues.
Prince Mahamed Bolkia said: “During our chairmanship of ASEAN, we had the opportunity to engage bilaterally with members of the region and we received much encouragement. One thing that we clearly saw was that we are all united in creating a common region of peace and stability.”
Following the opening session, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers held a closed-door meeting to discuss regional and global issues. The key focus of this meeting is expected to be the realization of the region's common goals: the determination to build the ASEAN Community by December 31, 2015, for an ASEAN Community that is "economically integrated, politically cohesive, and shares social responsibilities"; strengthening external relations and enhancing ASEAN's central role in the evolving regional structure and its core role in addressing important regional issues; and promoting ASEAN integration and connectivity as a driving force to expand connectivity into East Asia, including the establishment of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
The Ministers will also discuss ASEAN's proactive role in ensuring a peaceful regional environment; security and stability; further promoting regional political and security tools and forums such as the ARF, EAS, ADMM+, as well as documents such as the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (SEANWFZ)…; and effectively responding to traditional and non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and epidemics…
Also during today's discussion, the Ministers will address the situation in the South China Sea, North Korea, the haze situation in Indonesia, and review the joint documents of ASEAN – AMM 46.
According to (vov.vn) - LT
