ASEAN Meetings Vital For Philippines, Region; Postponement Up To Palace -Lazaro

MANILA, March 25 (Bernama-PNA) -- Hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings, especially with a landmark South China Sea code of conduct (COC) in the works, is significant both for the Philippines and the entire region, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said.

“ASEAN is very important. In fact the ASEAN is like the main anchor of our foreign policy,” she said during the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel on Wednesday, the Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.

“To be the chair, which happens only once in 10, now 11 years, it is important that we advance the many aspects concerning the region,” she said.

The international community, she added, is closely watching the Philippines and how it is going to steer the bloc against the backdrop of complex challenges and global shocks affecting Southeast Asia.

“Also important here are the economic issues being discussed within ASEAN, as well as the socio-cultural issues,” Lazaro said.

“For all these talks and proposals, the Philippines, as chair, together with the other ASEAN countries, will make the decisions. That is how important ASEAN is to us,” she said.

The statement came after calls by lawmakers to consider a proposal to postpone the summit and allocate its budget for subsidies to cushion the impact of the West Asia conflict on the economy.

The recommendation was earlier raised by former finance secretary Gary Teves, who said the Philippines’ deferment of its hosting duties could save the country about PHP17 billion.

Lazaro, meanwhile, deferred the decision on the proposal to the Office of the President.

The Philippines officially assumed its chairship of ASEAN this year and earlier expressed its readiness to host about 650 summits and meetings throughout the year.

Among the major meetings it is expected to convene are the 48th ASEAN Leaders’ Summit and Related Summits in Cebu on May 8-9; the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits -- to be attended by leaders from dialogue partners -- on Nov. 10-12 in Pasay City; and the commemorative activities for the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) on July 24.

-- BERNAMA-PNA