Local time, 7 and 8, the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines. ASEAN secretary-general Gao Jinhong attended the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Cebu on the same day, the ASEAN Portal reported Sunday. The meeting focused on preparations for the upcoming 48th ASEAN Summit. The ministers exchanged views on a number of strategic issues, including the evolving energy crisis and the impact of the situation in the Middle East on the region.
According to the agenda announced by the Philippines, the rotating chair of ASEAN, ASEAN leaders will be held in Cebu 8 closed-door meeting. Under continuing economic and geopolitical pressure, the organizers reaffirmed three urgent priorities for the summit, the Cebu Daily of the Philippines said Wednesday, regional Energy Security and resilience, food security and the protection of ASEAN people.
The conflict in the Middle East poses a major challenge to ASEAN economies, which depend on imported fuel, Reuters reported Wednesday. Diplomats and analysts say the energy crisis will test the Philippine presidency, forcing it to co-ordinate a regional response while preventing ASEAN’s own conflicts from being shelved. AFP 7, said that although ASEAN has issued a statement on energy cooperation, but there is no mechanism to force action.
In addition to the conflict in the Middle East, internal ASEAN crises loomed over the summit, including the Civil War in Burma and a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, Reuters said. However, the Philippines insisted that the us-israel War in Iraq would not affect ASEAN’s internal negotiations.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin 7 days before departure to attend the meeting told local media, he will meet with Cambodian Prime Minister Hung Manet during the summit. He also reiterated that in dealing with the issue of thai-cambodian relations will always be to safeguard Thailand’s sovereignty and the interests of the Thai people as the primary condition. The Philippines has arranged trilateral talks with Thailand and Cambodia to help restore bilateral ties and strengthen regional stability, Thai deputy prime minister and Foreign Minister Nouri al-sihassa said, the nation reported Tuesday.