ASEAN Perspectives

Russian Ambassador stresses importance for Russians and Filipinos to “discover” each other

  (Eagle News) — Russian ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev expressed how important it is for Filipinos and Russians to discover more about each other, stressing how both have common values. In a previous interview with Eagle News Service, Khovaev stressed the importance of Filipinos and Russians being open to each other, and for the Philippines to see Russia as a “new reliable partner and close friend.” It’s time for Russia to discover the […]

French Ambassador highlights common values in 70th year of Phil-France relations

(Eagle News) — The Filipinos and the French have more things in common than just their love for good food, as both share common values that make them strong as a nation. This was what French ambassador to the Philippines Thierry Mathou stressed when he was interviewed at a news studio of Eagle Broadcasting Corp. in Quezon City which he visited on Tuesday to highlight the 70th year of bilateral relations between France and the Philippines. […]

ASEAN hopes for completion of Code of Conduct on S. China Sea in June

(Eagle News Service) — The Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Tuesday underscored the importance of completing the framework of a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea by the middle of this year, as it expressed “grave concern” for China’s militarization of several areas in the body of water. In a press conference in Boracay where foreign ministers and senior officials from the regional bloc’s member-states gathered for a meeting, Yasay said ASEAN was […]

Australia Day 2017 signals stronger ties with the Duterte administration

  Celebrated every 26th of January, Australia Day festivities started with the Australian Embassy outlining its priorities in the Philippines for 2017. “Our focus in 2017 is to work closely with the Duterte administration. There’s a lot of work needed to strengthen the Australian relationship across all sectors,” Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, Amanda Gorely said in a reception conducted at the Ambassador’s Residence last January 24, 2017. Extending over 70 years, the Australia-Philippine relations […]

Trump presidency to put the Philippines’ Duterte administration on the spot, says analyst

  By Rowena Dela Fuente-Deimoy Eagle News Service QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — The Trump administration is expected to assert that the United States is the only superpower in the world. With the formal assumption to office of US President-elect Donald Trump, the new administration is seen to embark on a new foreign policy which is way different from that of outgoing US President Barack Obama. In an interview with Eagle New Service, International […]

US commander warns of more IS attacks in Asia-Pacific

  NEW DELHI, India (AFP) — A top US military commander warned Wednesday that the Asia-Pacific region is at risk of attacks by Islamic State group fighters returning to their home countries. As the group loses territory in the Middle East, radicalised fighters from Bangladesh, Indonesia and elsewhere are likely to target their native countries, Commander of the US Pacific Command Admiral Harry Harris said. “It’s not a theory. It’s real. In the past year […]

Abe stresses U.S. importance for prosperity in Asia-Pacific

(Reuters) — The commitment of the United States is vital for peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Monday (January 16) during a visit to Vietnam, the last destination of his six-day trip to the region. “We (Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Australia) have agreed that the commitment of the United States is vital for the peace and prosperity of the region,” he told a news conference in Hanoi, […]

Full Speech of President Rodrigo Duterte on ASEAN launching in Davao City

  Below is the transcript of the full speech of President Rodrigo Duterte released by the Presidential Communications Office during the launch of the ASEAN chairmanship of the Philippines in Davao City: SPEECH OF PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE DURING THE LAUNCHING OF THE PHILIPPINES’ CHAIRMANSHIP OF ASEAN [Delivered at the SMX Convention Center, Davao City on January 15, 2017] Thank you, kindly sit down. Salamat po. Excellencies of ASEAN members states; former President Fidel V. […]

President Duterte says he is “truly honored, humbled” as PHL ASEAN chairmanship launched

  (Eagle News) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte launched the Philippine chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in all “humility,” saying that the Philippines will continue to remain steadfast in upholding the ASEAN ideals and values as ASEAN chair. “I say to you today in full humility: the Philippines — as ASEAN chair — will remain steadfast in upholding the ideals and values we hold dear and in working for the realization of […]

Human Rights Watch calls for ASEAN countries to solve Rohingya crisis

  (Reuters) — Human Rights Watch says they hope to see countries from the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) push towards a resolution of Myanmar’s Rohingya crisis, when they meet in Yangon on Monday (December 19). Myanmar has called an emergency meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers to discuss the Rohingya crisis, just three days after the United Nations said it was getting daily reports of rapes and killings of the Rohingya minority in Myanmar, […]

Harnessing ASEAN strength, key point for Duterte visit in Cambodia, Singapore

  (Eagle News) — Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte stressed the importance of harnessing the economic strengths of Southeast Asian Nations as an agenda that he would push with his state visits to Cambodia and Singapore. He would also raise cooperation in economic development and defense as important points in his state visits to the two countries. The President arrived in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Tuesday, December 13, particularly at the Phnom Penh […]

ASEAN-Russia Transport Ministers issue joint declaration on transport cooperation

  (Eagle News) — Transport Ministers of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members and of the Russian Federation met in Moscow, Russia for the ASEAN-Russia Transport Ministers’ Meeting on December 9, 2016. With the theme “Moving Towards a Mutually Beneficial Transport Cooperation,” the meeting takes place in recognition of the important role that transport plays in economic, social and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region. One of the important highlights of the event is […]