'Constructive' talks tackle key regional issues

More than 90 outcome documents were adopted and noted during this week's 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meetings in Vientiane, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said on Friday as the ASEAN chair for 2024.

With 16 summits convened, the leaders "had frank, candid, and constructive discussions on regional and international issues of common interest and concern", said Sonexay at the news conference.

Among the outcome documents, 56 were adopted and noted at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, covering issues such as the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, supply chain connectivity, sustainable development and the Myanmar crisis.

The year's summits were held under the theme "ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience", the bloc also held summits with dialogue partners and external partners, including China, South Korea, Japan, India, Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Nations.

The ASEAN Plus Three Summit, which includes ASEAN, China, South Korea and Japan, and the East Asia Summit, a gathering for a grouping that has 18 members, were also convened.

Sonexay highlighted key outcomes of the summits, such as the conclusion of the negotiation of Version 3.0 of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, which Sonexay said will serve as a strong foundation to promote and enhance the economic cooperation between the two sides.

The bloc also elevated its relations with South Korea to a comprehensive strategic partnership, a status that has also been granted to countries such as China and the United States.

"Overall, these summits concluded with fruitful outcomes," said Sonexay.

China's Premier Li Qiang attended the leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation.

This regional gathering saw the debut of several new leaders, including Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Aung Kyaw Moe, the permanent secretary of Myanmar's Foreign Ministry attended the gathering, the first time in three years the country has sent a representative to the leaders' summit.

The Myanmar crisis has been a key focus of this year's summits and Sonexay said the leaders agreed to uphold the ASEAN's commitment to assist Myanmar in finding a peaceful, durable, Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led political solution through the implementation of the five-point consensus that was reached in April 2021 after Myanmar military took power.

Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste also participated in the summits as the 10-member bloc is working to grant the country full membership in ASEAN.

During the closing ceremony of the summits, Sonexay handed over the ASEAN chairmanship to Malaysia.

"Malaysia has chosen the theme Inclusivity and Sustainability. It reflects our aspiration for truly shared progress and ensures that no one is left behind," said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, after receiving the gavel.

In addition, Anwar said the future of ASEAN must include Timor-Leste and ASEAN will continue to explore a broader economic partnership beyond its borders.

Laos' ASEAN chairmanship will officially end on Dec 31, 2024, and Malaysia will begin its 2025 chairmanship on Jan 1 next year.