Latest news with #AOIP
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
ASEAN strengthens global partnerships with AOIP and TAC in Kuala Lumpur
KUALA LUMPUR: The ASEAN Foreign Ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the bloc's global partnerships by leveraging existing mechanisms such as the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The decision was made during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) held recently, reflecting ASEAN's dedication to maintaining consistency in its external relations amid shifting geopolitical dynamics. The ministers emphasised the need to shift focus from quantity to strategic value in partnerships, ensuring alignment with ASEAN's long-term priorities. 'ASEAN must continue upholding its centrality and role as the primary driving force in managing relations with external partners,' the ministers agreed. This includes reviewing the moratorium on new Dialogue Partnerships, initiated in 2021, to ensure coherence with ASEAN Community Vision 2045. A key outcome of the meeting was the directive for the ASEAN Secretariat to prepare a comprehensive Assessment Paper on ASEAN's Formal Partnerships. This document will serve as a strategic guide for future engagements, ensuring they remain grounded in ASEAN's principles as outlined in the ASEAN Charter and TAC. The review process will adopt an action-oriented approach, covering all three pillars of the ASEAN Community and the ASEAN Connectivity agenda. The findings will be presented at a future AMM for further deliberation. - Bernama
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean urges major powers to resolve differences through regional mechanisms
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean foreign ministers have urged major powers to manage their differences constructively and responsibly, including through Asean-led mechanisms such as the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the move is to ensure that the region remains peaceful, stable and prosperous. "We underscored the importance of dialogue and cooperation through Asean platforms, with focus on commonalities rather than differences," he said during the exit press conference of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings today. Mohamad said the AMM meeting also heard a briefing by the Asean Geoeconomic Task Force on the subject "Asean Economic Outlook in a Fragmented Global Economy". "We have also decided that ahead of the upcoming 47th Asean Summit in October, we will involve the ministers of economy or investment from each member country, so that we can coordinate our efforts more effectively, as politics and the economy now go hand in hand. "Many of the agreements we've made have not yet been translated into action," he added. Meanwhile, Mohamad said Asean continues to gain the trust of major powers, with the bloc now widely recognised as a respected entity in a peaceful region with strong economic growth. "Many countries are lining up to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as a first step towards becoming Asean's partners," he said. He said Asean, which began with five member states, expanded to ten, and will grow to eleven member states by the end of the year, with Timor Leste. "Interest in becoming dialogue partners continues to grow, with many countries currently waiting to be accepted as sectoral dialogue partners, a status that typically precedes full dialogue partner recognition," he said. He, however, said Asean currently maintains a moratorium on accepting new dialogue partners. "That said, there are one or two cases that may be considered, especially if the country in question can add value to Asean. "While the moratorium remains in place, it should not be applied too rigidly. We must assess whether there is a real need and whether the country can bring added value to the region."
Malaysiakini
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Japan stands with Asean on Myanmar, looks to deepen regional cooperation
Japan has reaffirmed its full support for Asean's central role in addressing the protracted crisis in Myanmar, while expressing readiness to deepen regional cooperation through its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy aligned with Asean's own Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Japanese ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said Tokyo remains committed to Asean's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and has maintained diplomatic channels with various stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure dialogue and humanitarian access.
New Straits Times
07-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Japan stands with Asean on Myanmar, looks to deepen FOIP-AOIP engagement
KUALA LUMPUR: Japan has reaffirmed its full support for Asean's central role in addressing the protracted crisis in Myanmar, while expressing readiness to deepen regional cooperation through its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy aligned with Asean's own Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said Tokyo remains committed to Asean's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and has maintained diplomatic channels with various stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure dialogue and humanitarian access. "Japan has been consistently engaged on the Myanmar issue in close coordination with ASEAN, particularly through the Five-Point Consensus. "While we have our own channels of communication with all stakeholders in Myanmar, we fully support Asean's central role and initiatives," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently. He acknowledged that progress has been slow since the 2021 military coup but stressed that Japan's approach centres on long-term humanitarian and development support for the people of Myanmar. "We understand the complexity, and while progress has been limited, we hope that under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship in 2025, some traction can be made," Shikata said. Malaysia has stepped up diplomatic efforts on Myanmar, engaging both the military leadership and the National Unity Government (NUG) in pursuit of an inclusive political solution. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held separate meetings with representatives from both sides, urging an extended ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach conflict-affected areas. Malaysia has proposed the appointment of a permanent Asean special envoy and reaffirmed its support for the Five-Point Consensus, focusing on constructive dialogue and humanitarian access. Shikata said Japan is also ready to contribute further to Asean-led humanitarian responses through the Asean Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), particularly for internally displaced communities. On March 28 this year, a powerful magnitude-7.7 earthquake struck central Myanmar, near Mandalay and Sagaing. The quake caused catastrophic damage, destroying infrastructure, displacing thousands and reportedly killing over 3,700 people. Turning to broader regional dynamics, Shikata pointed out that Japan's FOIP strategy shares strong common ground with Asean's AOIP, particularly in promoting inclusivity, openness, transparency and international law. He said the alignment between the two frameworks offers a timely opportunity for Japan and Asean to work together on maritime security, sustainable development, infrastructure and economic integration. "There is strong commonality between AOIP and FOIP, and we aim to identify concrete areas for collaboration between Japan and Asean under both frameworks," he said. AOIP, adopted in 2019, outlines the grouping's approach to fostering inclusive and rules-based cooperation through Asean-led platforms such as the East Asia Summit. Japan's Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy, introduced in 2016, emphasises freedom of navigation, rule of law, economic growth and regional stability. Japan became Asean's first dialogue partner in 1973, formalising the partnership in 1977. Over the decades, Japan has steadily expanded its engagement with Asean, joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in 2004, appointing a dedicated ambassador to Asean in 2010 and establishing its permanent mission in Jakarta the following year. In 2023, ASEAN and Japan elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, reflecting Tokyo's enduring support for ASEAN centrality and regional cooperation across political, economic and socio-cultural pillars. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya will be in Kuala Lumpur from July 9 to 11 to attend the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings. — BERNAMA
Barnama
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Japan Stands With ASEAN On Myanmar, Looks To Deepen FOIP-AOIP Engagement
By Nabilah Saleh KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- Japan has reaffirmed its full support for ASEAN's central role in addressing the protracted crisis in Myanmar, while expressing readiness to deepen regional cooperation through its Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) strategy aligned with ASEAN's own Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata said Tokyo remains committed to ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) and has maintained diplomatic channels with various stakeholders in Myanmar to ensure dialogue and humanitarian access. 'Japan has been consistently engaged on the Myanmar issue in close coordination with ASEAN, particularly through the Five-Point Consensus. 'While we have our own channels of communication with all stakeholders in Myanmar, we fully support ASEAN's central role and initiatives,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently. He acknowledged that progress has been slow since the 2021 military coup but stressed that Japan's approach centres on long-term humanitarian and development support for the people of Myanmar. 'We understand the complexity, and while progress has been limited, we hope that under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, some traction can be made,' Shikata said. Malaysia has stepped up diplomatic efforts on Myanmar, engaging both the military leadership and the National Unity Government (NUG) in pursuit of an inclusive political solution. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held separate meetings with representatives from both sides, urging an extended ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach conflict-affected areas.
