ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS’ RETREAT LUANG PRABANG, LAO PDR 28 – 29 JANUARY 2024
ASEAN FOREIGN MINISTERS’ RETREAT LUANG PRABANG, LAO PDR 28 – 29 JANUARY 2024
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat on 29 January 2024 in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The AMM Retreat was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR H.E. Saleumxay Kommasith, with the participation of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, Secretary-General of ASEAN and a senior official from Myanmar. The Foreign Minister of Timor-Leste was also in attendance as ASEAN Observer.
During the Retreat, the Foreign Minister welcomed Lao PDR’s priorities, which focused on connectivity and resilience. He stressed the importance for ASEAN to redouble efforts to safeguard the region against threats that could impact regional peace, security and stability and underlined the need to further consolidate ASEAN Centrality and unity to ensure ASEAN remains in the driver’s seat in shaping the regional architecture.
On the situation in Myanmar, the Foreign Minister urged ASEAN to continue its efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Myanmar through creating a conducive environment for political dialogue and delivery of humanitarian assistance to all in need. This includes engaging with all stakeholders, as mandated by the ASEAN Leaders, and he reminded all concerned parties to adhere and implement the Five-Point Consensus. On the Troika mechanism, the Foreign Minister expressed Malaysia’s support and readiness to work with Lao PDR and Indonesia to ensure seamless continuity in efforts to resolve the Myanmar crisis.
On the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Foreign Minister called for an immediate cessation of violence and a ceasefire, adding that the ongoing atrocities had only added to the hardships faced by the Palestinians for over 75 years. He called for unimpeded humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians in Gaza and stated that Malaysia welcomed the decision by the International Court of Justice on 26 January 2024.
On the South China Sea, the Foreign Minister expressed disappointment that ASEAN’s position vis-à-vis the South China Sea was not reflected in the Final Document of the 19th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (19th NAM Summit) which was adopted in Kampala, Uganda on 20 January 2024. He expressed the need to address this matter appropriately.
The Foreign Minister also had the opportunity to have bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Lao PDR and Viet Nam. Among the issues discussed included enhancing connectivity, encouraging digital transformation and increasing bilateral trade and investment between the respective countries.
PUTRAJAYA
29 January 2024