ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in preparation for 22nd ASEAN Summit end

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, April 11 (Xinhua) — ASEAN foreign affairs and trade ministers on Thursday held meetings and discussed, among others, the progress made since the 21st ASEAN Summit, including political and security cooperation.

The ASEAN Ministerial Meetings in preparation for the 22nd ASEAN Summit were held at the International Convention Centre.

ASEAN ministers discussed the on-going work on the publication of the ASEAN Security Outlook, and received reports from various ASEAN bodies for submission to the ASEAN leaders.

A press release issued following the closed-door meetings said ASEAN ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, mutual trust and cooperation to enhance maritime security, and of ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.

The ministers also reiterated the need for all parties to exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes.

The ministers reiterated their Statement on the Six-Point Principles on the South China Sea, and emphasized the need to maintain momentum on dialogue and consultations following the positive outcome of the 19th ASEAN-China Senior Officials consultation.

The ministers tasked their senior officials to work actively with China on the way forward for the early conclusion of the code of conduct on the basis of consensus, the press release said.

China says disputes over the sovereignty of some islands in the South China Sea and the overlapping of ocean rights in some parts of the region should be solved by the countries concerned through dialogue and negotiation on the basis of respecting history and international laws.

 

ASEAN needs to boost cooperation beyond politics, economy: chief

JAKARTA, April 9 (Xinhua) — ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said on Monday that the region needs to increase cooperation beyond politics and economy, namely sports, drugs issue, environment, education, arts, culture, natural disasters and labor.

“During the 20th ASEAN Summit in Cambodia’s Phnom Penh on April 3-4, sports, drugs issue, environment, education, arts, culture and labor were discussed in order to make sure that we can make ASEAN for its people,” said Pitsuwan at a post-20th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings briefing at the ASEAN Secretariat on Monday.

Therefore, he urged officials to be transparent on things that happened in their countries so that help can come immediately.

“With the mechanism, we can address problems together,” said Pitsuwan.

He took examples of natural disaster and labor issues in several member states.

“Now, disaster is a major challenge of the world. In terms of migrant workers, please do something, move away from labor intensive,” said Pitsuwan.

Chairman’s Statement at the 20th ASEAN Summit on April 3-4 touched on issues of a drug-free ASEAN in 2015, improvement of people’s livelihood, trafficking in persons and people smuggling, the need to ensure effective operation in dealing with disasters, among others.

Thousands of Cambodian forces in training for ASEAN summit

PHNOM PENH, March 21 (Xinhua) — Thousands of Cambodian armed forces were on training Wednesday aiming at providing security and safety for the 20th ASEAN summit and related meetings from March 30 to April 4.

The training was held at the capital’s Diamond Island Center with the participants from police, soldiers, riot police, military police, anti-terrorism police, fire police, traffic police, and guards of honor as well as protocol officials.

Speaking to reporters during the training session, Lieutenant General Chuon Sovan, deputy chief of the National Police, said that during the upcoming summit, the security forces would mainly focus on anti-terrorism.

“Security will be tightened at the airport, meeting venues, delegate buses, hotels, and roads in order to prevent any terrorism plot,” he said, adding “we also train our forces to prevent any protest during the summit.”

Brigadier General Touch Narath, Phnom Penh police chief, said that security and public order in the city have been beefed up from now on through routinely patrolling and searching for weapons and explosions at night among passengers.

“Also, security and safety at hotels and guesthouses have been strengthened, and street businesses along main roads will not be allowed until the end of the summit,” he said.

The 20th ASEAN summit and related meetings will be held at the capital’s Peace Palace.