Latest news with #AseanSeniorOfficials'Meeting
The Star
25-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
The Philippines committee to back Timor-Leste's Asean bid, says Foreign Affairs Secretary
MANILA, May 25 (Bernama-PNA): The Philippines will continue supporting Timor-Leste's membership bid to become a regular member of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean), incoming Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro reaffirmed on Saturday. According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Lazaro, currently the Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Asean Affairs, represented Manila in the Asean Senior Officials' Meeting on May 24 in preparation for the 46th Asean Summit and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. "We discussed the importance of strengthening Asean centrality while expanding strategic partnerships,' she said on X. "We also committed to supporting Timor-Leste's accession process and contributing to the Asean Community Vision 2045 implementation.' The bloc had granted the young nation observer status and allowed its participation in all of its meetings, including summit plenaries. In a November 2022 statement, the Asean leaders agreed "in principle to admit Timor-Leste to be the 11th member' of the bloc. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier said Timor-Leste's accession to the bloc is on the agenda in the coming Asean meetings. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will attend the 46th Asean Summit and Related Meetings in Malaysia on May 26 and 27. Current Asean members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. -- Bernama-PNA
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Timor-Leste's Asean membership sees positive momentum under Malaysia's chairmanship
KUALA LUMPUR: Timor-Leste's long-awaited admission into Asean under Malaysia's chairmanship is showing positive progress, according to the Philippines' appointed Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Maria Theresa Lazaro. Speaking in a doorstep interview following the Asean Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) here today, Lazaro, however, noted that the membership was still subject to further deliberation. "I cannot speculate, but based on the discussions we have had, the outlook is positive. "I believe it is also Asean's intention, particularly Malaysia, as the chair, for Timor-Leste to become a member in the near future. "This is one of the deliverables under Malaysia's chairmanship this year. However, it remains highly speculative. A number of issues and discussions still need to take place, but it (progress) is moving," she said. Despite having submitted its application over a decade ago, Timor-Leste's path to becoming Asean's 11th member remained uncertain. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in February this year said Malaysia, as Asean chair for this year, had prioritised expediting Timor-Leste's membership process. ( He also said Timor-Leste could become a full member of Asean by the regional bloc's second summit in October or November this year. Commenting on Malaysia's chairmanship, Lazaro expressed her country's commitment to building on Malaysia's ongoing efforts as Asean Chair, ahead of the Philippines' turn to lead the regional bloc in 2026. She said Manila views its upcoming chairmanship as a significant milestone aligning closely with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's diplomatic agenda. "There are a lot of challenges ahead, but we are taking it as an important role as we are chairing the Asean next year. "It is very important in the agenda of President Marcos that we also build on what Malaysia is doing and we congratulate you on what you have been doing. "We just want to build on what you have done. There are a number of deliverables that you are doing and I think that will be the task that I have to do (continue building momentum)," she said. Lazaro was recently appointed as the new Philippine foreign affairs secretary on Friday, succeeding Enrique Manalo, who has been named the next Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN). She is set to officially assume leadership of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on July 31, pending confirmation by Congress.
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Timor-Leste, Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone among issues discussed at Asean SOM
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to strengthen and revitalise collaboration with non-Asean partners were among the key matters discussed at the Asean Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM), which began today ahead of the 46th Asean Summit. Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said this includes discussions on the Asean Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (ANWFZ) and initiatives under the Asean Regional Forum (ARF). "In addition, we are finalising several key agenda items to be presented for consideration at the ministerial and leaders' levels. "The focus at the senior officials' level also includes planning for the upcoming Asean Summit during Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2025," he said during a doorstep interview following the meeting today. The SOM officially commenced at 8.30am, bringing together Asean SOM Leaders and Timor-Leste's SOM representatives to align positions on key regional issues ahead of the sessions involving Asean Heads of State and Government. Commenting further, Amran said the meeting also deliberated on Timor-Leste, which remains a central issue in Asean's expansion and engagement discussions. "The Foreign Minister (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) will hold a curtain raiser or press briefing tomorrow, during which more detailed information will be shared," he said. Amran added that preparations for the East Asia Summit (EAS) were also reviewed at the senior officials' level. "In June, we will host senior officials' meetings for Asean, Asean Plus Three (APT), comprising China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, as well as ARF and EAS-related meetings. "As such, a wide range of issues are being prioritised today to ensure that when the ministerial and leaders' meetings take place, Asean will be collectively prepared to chart the direction and mechanisms necessary for its ongoing initiatives." This year's Asean Summit, themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability", is expected to be particularly significant, as it will include the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, reflecting Asean's growing engagement with key international partners.
New Straits Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean pays tribute to former Vietnamese president Tran Duc Luong
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) today commenced with a tribute to former Vietnamese president Tran Duc Luong, who died on Tuesday. In his opening remarks during the session, Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin conveyed Malaysia's condolences and acknowledged the late leader's significant contributions, particularly in strengthening Asean cooperation. "Before I proceed, on behalf of Malaysia, I would like to extend our deepest condolences on the passing of the former president of Vietnam. "The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) has already conveyed his sympathies to the government and people of Vietnam, expressing our sorrows and sympathies, and recognising the contribution of the late President Tran Duc Luong to the nation of Vietnam," he said. Tran Duc Luong died at 10.51pm on Tuesday (May 20) at his residence in Hanoi after a period of illness. He was 88. He served as deputy prime minister from September 1992 to August 1997 and as president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from September 1997 to June 2006. Meanwhile, ahead of the 46th Asean Summit, SOM officially begins today starting at 8.30am, bringing together Asean SOM Leaders and Timor-Leste's SOM representatives. Officials from the Asean Secretariat will also attend to align positions on key regional issues ahead of the Asean Heads of State or Government sessions. At the same time, the Five-Point Consensus to address the ongoing crisis in Myanmar is expected to take centre stage during An informal consultation at 3pm later. The outcome of the discussions scheduled for 3pm today is expected to shape the bloc's collective response to the current situation. This year's Asean Summit, with the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability", is expected to be particularly significant as it includes the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, reflecting Asean's growing engagement with key international partners.
The Star
24-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean SOM honours Vietnam's late former president Tran Duc Luong
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) on Saturday (May 24) paid tribute to the former President of Vietnam, Tran Duc Luong, who died on Tuesday (May 20). Malaysia's Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin extended the nation's deepest condolences and acknowledged the former leader's contributions, especially in the context of Asean cooperation. "On behalf of Malaysia, we extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of the former president. 'Our Prime Minister has already conveyed his sympathies to the government and people of Vietnam, expressing our sorrow and recognising the late leader's service and dedication to the nation," Amran said before the meeting commenced at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) on Saturday. The SOM is a key preparatory phase ahead of the 46th Asean Summit, scheduled to take place from May 26 to 27. The session began with remarks by Amran welcoming Asean SOM Leaders, Timor-Leste's SOM representatives and officials from the Asean Secretariat to the meeting. The 46th Asean Summit, themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability", will gather leaders from the bloc's member states to discuss regional issues, foster economic cooperation and advance the principles of inclusivity and sustainability. Kuala Lumpur would also concurrently host the second Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit. On Friday (May 23), Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also expressed his condolences in a Facebook post, noting that the late president served during a pivotal period in Vietnam's history. He credited Tran Duc Luong with steadfastly upholding the spirit of the Doi Moi (economic) reforms. Tran Duc Luong died at the age of 88, at 10.51pm on Tuesday at his residence in Hanoi, after a period of illness. He served as Deputy Prime Minister from September 1992 to August 1997 and as President from September 1997 to June 2006. – Bernama
