1 October 2013 - ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the US Secretary of State discussed the possibility of further elevating ASEAN-US dialogue relations to a strategic level during the Informal ASEAN-US Ministerial Meeting held on September 28 in New York. ASEAN and the US are envisioning a relationship that would entail enhanced cooperation in the areas of economic development, peace and security, including maritime security, and people-to-people relations.

Secretary Kerry stressed that ASEAN is at the center of the US’ strategy to rebalance strategy and resources to the Asian region and that the administration of President Barack Obama is committed to this initiative. He said that the US desires to share prosperity through strengthened economic linkages. At the same time, he also stressed that shared security is a prerequisite for shared prosperity – from maritime security to cyber security.

After the meeting, Secretary del Rosario described the discussions as “substantive” since the talks “tackled important issues of mutual concern for all, such as the promotion of maritime security and the safety and freedom of navigation in the area.” END