Mohamad: Asean gains trust, recognised as a peaceful region after successful AMM

New Straits Times

11-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: The successful organisation of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings proves that the regional bloc is respected and continues to gain the trust of major global powers.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Asean is also increasingly recognised as a peaceful region with excellent economic growth.
"Many countries are lining up and waiting to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) because it is the first step for them to become Asean partners.
"From the five original member countries, we are now 10, and in October, it will be 11 countries (with the entry of Timor-Leste). More countries are now applying to become Asean sectoral partners and dialogue partners," he told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today.
Mohamad added that although Asean currently has a moratorium on accepting new dialogue partners, the regional bloc would not be too rigid about it.
"There are one or two that need to be considered, and if we accept a country as a dialogue partner, it will add significant value to Asean, so we look at that need," he said.
Regarding the successful organisation of the AMM, Mohamad said 21 meetings involving Asean and its strategic partners, as well as the Fourth Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV), were held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
"Separately, I held 15 bilateral meetings with my counterparts from Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Palestine, the Philippines, Switzerland, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay.
"During all these meetings, we discussed strengthening bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest," he said.
On Timor-Leste's inclusion as the 11th Asean member state, Mohamad said the regional bloc's foreign ministers acknowledged that related procedural work was underway.
"The AMM also adopted the Guidelines for Facilitating Timor-Leste's Participation in Asean Legal Instruments under the purview of the AMM.
"The AMM also encouraged Timor-Leste to take action to accede to the relevant legal instruments as soon as possible," he said.
Additionally, Mohamad said Asean foreign ministers urged all parties in Myanmar, especially the State Administration Council (SAC), to cease hostilities and violence and adhere to the ceasefire to ensure humanitarian aid can be delivered without obstruction.
He said this call was in line with the decision of the 46th Asean Summit held last May.
He added that Asean continues to fully support the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Asean Chair on Myanmar, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, in facilitating a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
"Malaysia also expressed concern regarding the unsatisfactory implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on the ground.
"We urge all stakeholders to take concrete action, especially concerning three main points: the cessation of hostilities, inclusive dialogue involving all parties, and humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar," he said.