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| Southeast Asian Nations link hands during the 31th ASEAN Summit in Manila on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo |
Viet Nam News
MANILA — The 31st summit of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (ASEAN) started in the Philippines’ capital of Manila on Monday with an agenda focusing on peace, stability and cooperation.
Leaders from 10 member will discuss measures to develop the ASEAN Community and confirm its position in the global economy. At the opening ceremony in Manila, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, said that the two days of meetings presented an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion on matters of regional and international importance.
"Terrorism and violent extremism endanger the peace, stability and security of our region because these threats know no boundaries," Duterte said , who last month declared victory over Islamic State-inspired militants in the southern Philippine city of Marawi.
At the start of the ASEAN-only meeting, Duterte said issues he expects participants to discuss include threats posed by "non-traditional security issues" to the peace and stability and prosperity of the region.
Related meetings will be held after the summit, including the 20th meeting of ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and the South Korea); separate ASEAN meetings with China, Japan, South Korea, India, the United States, Canada, the European Union, and the United Nations; and the 12th East Asia Summit (EAS).
A Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc arrived in Manila on Sunday to participate. The PM will also attend the ninth Mekong-Japan Summit and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders’ Meeting.
The ASEAN Summit is the most important event of the bloc this year with the participation of leaders from 10 member countries and ASEAN partners. As many as 55 documents are expected to be signed and adopted at the meetings.
The Philippines will also issue nine declarations as the chair of the summits.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Việt Nam. — VNS/KYODO
