PH Enhances Ties with Partners Through the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM)
11 December 2017 – The Philippines, led by Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Jose Luis G. Montales, participated in the 13th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 20-21 November 2017. The theme for this year’s meeting was “Strengthening Partnership for Peace and Sustainable Development.”
In his remarks at the opening ceremony as ASEAN group coordinator in ASEM, Undersecretary Montales underscored the country’s continued support of the ASEM process having benefitted from the informal exchanges at all levels (track 1 and 2) since its establishment in 1996. Noting that there is a need to make ASEM more inclusive and responsive to the needs and aspirations of the peoples of Asia and Europe, Undersecretary Montales also encouraged more constructive dialogue within the ASEM process, “mindful and respectful of each country’s priorities, needs, and historical experiences.”
The Philippines pushed for greater ASEM cooperation on countering terrorism and violent extremism, the empowerment of women and the youth, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), and initiatives on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
ASEM foreign ministers also commended the Philippines for the successful outcomes of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Manila from 13-14 November 2017 and reaffirmed ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture in the Asia-Pacific.
ASEM is an informal dialogue process, involving 51 countries from Asia and Europe and representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat and the EU. It addresses political, economic, and socio-cultural issues with the objective of strengthening ties between Asia and Europe, in a spirit of mutual respect and partnership. END