Tag: ASEAN IN FOCUS
Vietnam challenges China at ASEAN forum, wants tougher ASEAN stance on South China Sea
by Martin Abbugao / Ayee Macaraig Agence France Presse MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — Vietnam urged other Southeast Asian nations to take a stronger stand against Chinese expansionism in the South China Sea on Saturday, as a tense regional security forum began with North Korea also under fire over its nuclear program. Ahead of the launch of the annual gathering of foreign ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam made a […]
S. Korean FM open to meeting N. Korean counterpart
by Jerome Taylor Agence France Presse Manila, Philippines (AFP) — South Korea’s foreign minister said Saturday she was open to rare discussions with her North Korean counterpart at a security forum in the Philippines in a bid to rein in Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program. The diplomatic olive branch came as the isolated regime faces increasing global pressure following its second intercontinental ballistic missile test on July 28, with the United Nations Security Council set […]
ASEAN foreign ministers “reiterate grave concern” over N. Korea’s nuclear missile tests; seek complete denuclearization of region
MANILA, Philippines (Eagle News) – The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations “reiterated” their “grave concerns over the escalation of tensions in the Korean Peninsula” including the most recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) tests of North Korea on July 4 and 28, and two other nuclear tests last year. The “ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Statement on the Developments in the Korean Peninsula” issued on Saturday, August 5, during the opening of the […]
PHL gov’t now focusing on Marawi rehab; “Bangon Marawi Forum” launched at ASEAN Int’l Media Center
The Task Force Bangon Marawi and the Presidential Communications Office, through its news agencies, launched on Friday, August 4, the “Bangon Marawi” Forum at the AsSEAN International Media Center in Pasay City. In his welcome remarks, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said, the Bangon Marawi Forum aims to inform the public of the country’s efforts to rehabilitate the war-torn city of Marawi. Armed Forces of the Philippines Spokesperson Brigadier General Restituto Padilla, also gave a keynote […]
PHL open to addressing US human rights concerns on sidelines of ASEAN meetings
(Eagle News) — The Department of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Friday the talk about human rights between President Rodrigo Duterte and United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-hosted meetings, noting that it was an “opportunity to address (the US’) concerns and correct the perceptions they may have gleaned from exaggerated media reports.” In a statement, the DFA noted that discussions on human rights issues were […]
Security tightened in Manila for ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting
Manila tightened its security on Friday (August 4) ahead of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers’ meetings at the weekend. The Philippines has upgraded its security to the highest level as the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) takes place. Increased traffic checkpoints, armored vehicles, and riot police standing on guard could be seen around the venue where the summit is expected to take place. Police Chief […]
North Korea worried ASEAN forum in Manila will issue strongly-worded statement vs missile tests
North Korea’s vice foreign minister, Han Song-ryol, has met with his Philippine counterpart on July 25 ahead of ASEAN Regional Forum set in Manila this week, after Pyongyang sent diplomats early this year in Manila to appeal to the ASEAN chairman not to embarrass North Korea during the regional meeting, according to a Reuters report. Two diplomats from the Philippines foreign ministry said the North Koreans were worried ASEAN may issue a strongly-worded statement […]
US’ Tillerson won’t meet North Korea envoy at ASEAN talks in PHL
United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will not meet his North Korean counterpart at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations forum in Manila and will instead push to deepen Pyongyang’s diplomatic isolation, a senior US official said Wednesday. North Korea’s push to build a nuclear-armed missile capable of threatening US cities has brought the region to the brink of crisis, and Washington is using every diplomatic lever to shut the program down. But, in […]
President Duterte lashes out at N. Korean leader Kim; calls him “a crazy man” playing with “dangerous toys”
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte only had harsh words for North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un on Wednesday, ahead of a regional summit in Manila to be attended by the regime’s foreign minister. In a speech during the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s 113th founding anniversary celebration, President Duterte said Kim was a “crazy man” who could destroy Asia by triggering a nuclear war. “Baka nga si Kim, yung taran****. He is playing with dangerous toys and […]
Islamist militant threat expected to overshadow South China Sea dispute at ASEAN forum
As the battle against Islamist militants in the southern Philippines continues to rage, talks on regional security are expected to take center stage at this year’s Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, overshadowing the more long-standing discussions on the disputed South China Sea. In the past, the South China Sea has topped the agenda at the annual regional forum, with participant nations usually expected to press China to conclude a Code of […]
13k policemen to be deployed to secure Asean meeting in August
(Eagle News) — Around 13000 policemen will be deployed in time for the 50th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Ministerial Meeting in the country this week. In a press briefing on Tuesday, National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said the 13000 policemen would ensure the security of 1700 delegates of the Asean ministerial meeting at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City from August 2 to 8. He said the […]
