Kuala Lumpur – Regional security and economic collaboration dominated the agenda at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting held on Saturday, ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia’s capital. The discussions emphasized strengthening cooperation in defense, judicial institutions, and legal frameworks to maintain peace and stability across Southeast Asia.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan opened the conference by urging nations bordering the South China Sea to adhere to established maritime conduct guidelines and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve territorial disputes. While ASEAN and China agreed on a code of conduct declaration in 2012 to prevent escalation and ensure safe navigation, disagreements persist over maritime boundaries and economic influence, particularly concerning China’s so-called “nine-dash line.”
Hasan warned that Myanmar’s ongoing crisis could spill over into neighboring countries, citing risks such as cross-border crime, refugee flows, and socioeconomic instability affecting all ASEAN members. He called for renewed commitment to the five-point consensus previously adopted by ASEAN, which includes halting violence, initiating inclusive dialogue, accepting the ASEAN special envoy, enabling humanitarian access, and facilitating a comprehensive political process.
The minister stressed that any resolution must originate from the people of Myanmar, with ASEAN playing a supportive, non-coercive role. He acknowledged the deep mistrust among conflicting parties, noting that reconciliation would be a long-term process achieved through persuasion rather than force.
On economic matters, Malaysian Trade Minister Zafrul Abdul Aziz stated that ASEAN views the tariffs recently imposed by the United States as detrimental to the regional bloc. While ASEAN countries rejected these measures on what was dubbed “Freedom Day,” they chose not to retaliate, opting instead for dialogue. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick joined concurrent meetings with ASEAN economic ministers on the sidelines of the summit, raising hopes for a negotiated resolution.
Nonetheless, Zafrul emphasized ASEAN’s efforts to diversify trade partnerships, exploring deeper ties with BRICS nations, the European Union, and the Gulf Cooperation Council to reduce dependency on any single market. He affirmed that ASEAN aims to maintain balanced relations with both the U.S. and China, avoiding alignment with any geopolitical agenda.
The summit is also expected to feature a peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, to be signed under the auspices of U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysia’s Prime Minister. Some analysts suggest Trump’s visit is largely ceremonial, with limited focus on core economic disputes like tariffs.
— news from aljazeera.net