ASEAN foreign ministers meet for maiden gathering under Philippines leadership in Cebu city

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) - Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers met on Wednesday for a two-day inaugural meeting in Cebu City, Philippines, as Manila takes over the bloc’s chairmanship this year.

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat and Related Meetings mark the first major gathering under the Philippine chairship.

"We shared views on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), discussed ways forward, and reaffirmed ASEAN's collective resolve in finding a peaceful and lasting solution that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led," the Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro said on US social media company X.

The 5PC, approved by ASEAN in 2021, includes the appointment of a special envoy, urges an end to violence, and promotes inclusive dialogue.

According to the official account of ASEAN on X, the Senior Officials’ Meeting was also held in Cebu earlier in the day, during which "the Philippines’ Chairship priorities and deliverables to advance ASEAN Community-building and strengthen ASEAN’s external relations, in line with its theme 'Navigating Our Future, Together,'" were discussed.

ASEAN's current members are Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.