At the he ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting on April 24 in Jakarta, Indonesia (Photo: VNA) In the statement, ASEAN leaders expressed their commitment to support thetimely realisation of Brunei Darussalam’s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs)under the ASEAN Economic Community Pillar, which are divided into threestrategic thrusts of Recovery, Digitalisation, and Sustainability.
They appreciated the continued efforts to furtherstrengthen the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Pillar and its Sectoral Bodies’agendas towards ASEAN Community building, to ensure ASEAN will be morecoordinated, resilient and prepared for the future.
Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN leadersreiterated their commitment to implement the Implementation Plan of the ASEANComprehensive Recovery Framework in a timely manner, and welcomed the decisionto utilise the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund to procure vaccines for the peopleof ASEAN as soon as possible.
ASEAN leaders agreed to encourage the expeditious conclusion of the ASEANTravel Corridor Arrangement Framework (ATCAF), as well as the earlyoperationalisation of the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies for PublicHealth Emergencies, and underscored the importance of establishing the ASEANCentre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases in a timely manner.
The statement also mentioned the situation in Myanmar, expressing deepconcern of ASEAN leaders on reports of fatalities and escalation of violence,and reiterating that the political stability in ASEAN member states isessential to achieving a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community.
ASEAN leaders acknowledged the bloc’spositive and constructive role in facilitating a peaceful solution in theinterest and livelihoods of the people of Myanmar.
They agreed to the“Five-Point Consensus” attached to this Chairman’s Statement on the situationin the country, which demands an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar andall parties shall exercise utmost restraint.
The Five Point of Consensus underlined the need tocarry out constructive dialogue among all parties to seek a peaceful solutionin the interests of the people.
A special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitatemediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-Generalof ASEAN, and ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the AHACentre, the consensus said.
ASEAN leaders also underscored theimportance of Myanmar’s continued efforts in addressing the situation in theRakhine State, including commencing the repatriation process, in a voluntary,safe and dignified manner in accordance with its bilateral agreements withBangladesh.
Regarding foreign relations, ASEAN leaders agreedto instructed the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to hold their meetings withthe People’s Republic of China and the US as soon as possible, prior to the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,and agreed with the ASEAN Secretariat’s recommendation for the group to acceptthe UK’s application for Dialogue Partnership and tasked the ASEAN ForeignMinisters to undertake the appropriate process to facilitate the UKto become a Dialogue Partner by the 54th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting/PostMinisterial Conferences (54th AMM/PMC)./.
They agreed to the“Five-Point Consensus” attached to this Chairman’s Statement on the situationin the country, which demands an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar andall parties shall exercise utmost restraint.
The Five Point of Consensus underlined the need tocarry out constructive dialogue among all parties to seek a peaceful solutionin the interests of the people.
A special envoy of the ASEAN Chair shall facilitatemediation of the dialogue process, with the assistance of the Secretary-Generalof ASEAN, and ASEAN shall provide humanitarian assistance through the AHACentre, the consensus said.
ASEAN leaders also underscored theimportance of Myanmar’s continued efforts in addressing the situation in theRakhine State, including commencing the repatriation process, in a voluntary,safe and dignified manner in accordance with its bilateral agreements withBangladesh.
Regarding foreign relations, ASEAN leaders agreedto instructed the ASEAN Foreign Ministers to hold their meetings withthe People’s Republic of China and the US as soon as possible, prior to the 54th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,and agreed with the ASEAN Secretariat’s recommendation for the group to acceptthe UK’s application for Dialogue Partnership and tasked the ASEAN ForeignMinisters to undertake the appropriate process to facilitate the UKto become a Dialogue Partner by the 54th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting/PostMinisterial Conferences (54th AMM/PMC)./.
VNA
