Latest news with #47thAseanSummitandRelatedSummits
The Star
12-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘Asean has global trust'
Jovial moment: Mohamad attending the Asean Post-Ministerial Conference with the European Union. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has emerged as a trusted platform by global superpowers and countries are 'queuing' up to sign up as partners to the regional group, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister said many countries want to be a partner of Asean by acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of Southeast Asia (TAC), so much so the grouping had to put a moratorium on it. 'Asean has the trust of global superpowers. We are known as a region of peace and good economic growth. 'Countries are lining up to sign the TAC as this is the first step of being a partner to Asean,' he said at a press conference at the conclusion of the Asean Foreign Ministers Meeting and Related Meetings yesterday. While the current practice is not to take new partners as dialogue partners, Mohamad said Asean is giving an exception to one or two countries to be a partner to the regional group. 'Some dialogue partners can bring added value to Asean. So, we are not too rigid in our moratorium,' added Mohamad. He said Algeria and Uruguay officially acceded to the TAC, marking their formal commitment to principles of peaceful cooperation and regional harmony. 'As of now, 57 countries have become parties to the TAC,' added Mohamad. He said 21 meetings involving Asean and its external partners were held at this meeting. Mohamad said he held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Palestine, the Philippines, Switzerland, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, United States and Uruguay. He also stressed on the importance of maintaining neutrality as a trading nation. 'Our economy is based on trade. We cannot be seen as leaning toward anyone. The United States has the largest investment and China has been our largest trading partner for many years. 'We have to navigate our foreign policy so as not to be seen as leaning toward anyone,' he said. On the tariff issue, Mohamad said the United States prefers to hold negotiations separately with countries, and not as a group. 'Each country must negotiate for themselves. The United States seems more comfortable negotiating this way. 'We hope we will be able to negotiate well and decide on it fast,' added Mohamad. Malaysia, as Asean Chair, will once again host the regional summit – the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in October. On another matter, Mohamad said Malaysia will fully enforce regulations pertaining to illegal ship-to-ship transfer of crude oil in Malaysian waters beginning this month, as per Cabinet decision. He said ships caught doing this will face fines and the vessels held. 'We do not want to be accused of being a country that facilitates these activities. We will defend our waters so such actions can be prevented,' Mohamad said. He acknowledged that there will be quarters upset with this policy, adding regardless, Malaysia will enforce the ruling.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Asean a trusted platform by global superpowers, says Mohamad Hasan
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has emerged as a trusted platform by global superpowers and many countries are 'queuing' up to sign up as partners to the Southeast Asian regional group, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. The Foreign Minister also said too many countries want to be a partner of Asean by acceding to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation of Southeast Asia (TAC) and the government had to put a moratorium on it. 'Asean has gotten the trust of global superpowers where we are known as a region of peace and good economic growth 'Many countries as mentioned are lining up to sign the TAC, the first step of being a partner to Asean,' said Mohamad during an exit press conference after the Asean Foreign Ministers (AMM) on Friday (July 11). 'So, now, there is a moratorium, so that we don't take new partners as dialogue partners,' added Mohamad. But, Mohamad said Asean is giving an exception to one or two countries to be a partner to the regional group. 'Some dialogue partners can bring added value to Asean. So, we are not too rigid in our moratorium,' added Mohamad. Mohamad also said 21 meetings involving Asean and its external partners had been held during the AMM meeting that took place from July 8 to 11. 'That is why I am so tired now,' quipped Mohamad. Mohamad also said that on July 9, Algeria and Uruguay officially acceded to the TAC, marking their formal commitment to principles of peaceful cooperation and regional harmony. 'As of now, 57 countries have become parties to the TAC,' added Mohamad. Mohamad said that separately, he had 15 bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Palestine, the Philippines, Switzerland, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, US and Uruguay. 'During all these meetings, we discussed strengthening bilateral relations and international issues of common concern,' added Mohamad. Meanwhile, Mohamad stressed the importance of maintaining neutrality as a trading nation. 'Our economy is based on trade. We cannot be seen as leaning to anybody. The United States has the largest investment, and China has been our largest trading partner for many years. 'So, we have to navigate our foreign policy so that we are not to be seen as leaning to anyone,' added Mohamad. On the tariff issue, Mohamad said the US prefers to hold negotiations separately with countries, and not as a group. 'Each country must negotiate for themselves. The US seems more comfortable negotiating this way. 'We hope we will be able to negotiate well and decide on it fast,' added Mohamad. The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits will take place from October 26 to 28.
The Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
The 47th Asean Summit in KL poised to be largest ever
RIO DE JANEIRO: The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits, scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur this October, is set to be one of the largest in the grouping's history, says Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said several heads of government from outside Aseanhave confirmed their attendance at the summit, which will be held from Oct 26 to 28. Among those confirmed are Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, whom Anwar met in Rome on July 3, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Anwar also said that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who currently holds the G20 presidency, has also expressed his intention to attend. Anwar, who is in Rio de Janeiro for the 17th BRICS Leaders' Summit, said newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has likewise confirmed his participation. "This reflects how the October Asean Summit will likely be more vibrant than any previously held, not only involving Aseanand regular partners such as Japan, South Korea, and China, but also many others. "I believe it will be a major undertaking... God willing, we will be able to shoulder it together," Anwar said during a press conference at the conclusion of his official visits to Italy, France and Brazil, which began on July 1. Currently, Asean's 10 member states are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines. Besides the 10 Asean countries, partners that usually attend its summits include Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States. Speaking at the BRICS Business Forum opening here on July 5, Lula da Silva officially confirmed his attendance at the 47th ASEAN Summit. He also urged Brazilian entrepreneurs to prepare for the summit, highlighting its significance as a key business platform. The 46th Asean Summit held in Kuala Lumpur last May also featured the second Asean-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. - Bernama
The Star
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Timor-Leste to join Asean as full member by October, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste will become a full member of Asean by the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in October, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar said that Timor-Leste has worked hard to meet the requirements for Asean membership, and Malaysia is satisfied with the country's efforts. "Malaysia, Indonesia, and other countries have assisted in many ways to ensure they meet this precondition." "I would say we are quite satisfied. The decision is to agree that they will be accepted as a full member by the next session in October," Anwar said. He spoke during his exit press conference after the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits at the KL Convention Centre. Anwar mentioned that Timor-Leste must meet "one or two" economic preconditions for full membership. "The consensus was to ensure their entry by October," he said. Currently, Asean's 10 member states are Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines. Anwar briefly mentioned that Asean is negotiating a free-trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). As the Asean chair this year, Malaysia aims to develop tangible programmes benefiting ordinary people by October. Anwar said various ministries and officials must start working on these initiatives for introduction by October. "So by October, we want to see results. We want to see real change that benefits people," he said. Anwar credited the success of the 46th Asean Summit to the hard work of government officials. "It is unprecedented that things usually discussed in October are being done now. We are moving forward, and this is a major change," he added. Anwar said the 46th Asean Summit achieved its objectives by bringing the GCC and China together. "This is our first inaugural meeting. There was a series of discussions and a detailed joint statement," he added. He said that discussions at the 46th Asean Summit were fruitful. "There is a dramatic change in attitude. The South China Sea was discussed, and we saw exchanges between the Philippines and China." "I'm not saying these issues can be resolved, but there is meaningful and positive engagement. That is the spirit of Asean," said Anwar. The second day of the 46th Asean Summit featured the second Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit.
![[UPDATED] Mohamad: Asean supportive, but Timor-Leste must show commitment](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FASEAN_SUMMIT_2025_4390f12d6dfb40c0a76c3e875564fa21_1748162813.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
![[UPDATED] Mohamad: Asean supportive, but Timor-Leste must show commitment](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Mohamad: Asean supportive, but Timor-Leste must show commitment
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste must work "doubly hard" to secure full membership in Asean, including adopting the necessary guidelines related to Asean legal instruments under the Asean Foreign Ministers' (AFM) framework. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that while the economic bloc is keen to assist Timor-Leste, the country must also demonstrate its own commitment. "We will do our best to facilitate Timor-Leste's accession, because the majority of us (in Asean) want to see the country as part of the family. Now, Timor-Leste must work hard to fulfil and comply with the instruments (under the AFM framework), and we will try our best to assist them," he said. Mohamad said Malaysia, as Asean Chairman, has proposed that Timor-Leste be admitted into the economic bloc as its newest member this year, despite the country not yet having fulfilled all 84 of the bloc's legal instruments. He said Malaysia sees it as important for Timor-Leste to become part of the Asean family, and that the country should be given several years to meet all the legal instruments required for full compliance. "There are still many legal instruments that Timor-Leste must adopt, and from what we have seen, the number has been reduced from 84 to 66 — most of which fall under the purview of the Asean Economic Community Council. "At the same time, we are also exploring proposals that, if full compliance is not yet possible, Timor-Leste could be allowed to join first with a timeline set to fulfil the remaining conditions later," he said. He also said Asean will now begin undertaking their respective domestic legal procedures with the aim of finalising Timor-Leste's accession process by the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits in October 2025. This, he said, follows the adoption of the Addendum to the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty and its deposit with Thailand as the Depositary State. Meanwhile, asked about claims that the Philippines was blocking Timor-Leste's accession to Asean, Mohamad briefly said such claims were merely rumours. "Do not listen to rumours — there is no truth to it."
