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Senior officials finalize preps for ASEAN 31st Summit

By Zorayda Tecson

November 11, 2017, 4:30 pm

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga -- Senior officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Saturday discussed preparations for the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits to be held in Manila on November 13-14.

Undersecretary Enrique Manalo of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in his capacity as ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) Leader of the Philippines, met with his ASEAN counterparts here to finalize the agenda and order of proceedings of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, as well as the outcome documents.

Manalo, in his remarks during the welcome dinner for ASEAN senior officials Friday night, expressed his sincerest appreciation for all the cooperation and support, as well as the friendship extended by the senior officials to the Philippines during its chairmanship throughout the past months.

"Without your support and cooperation, we could not have accomplished anything we have done for the interest of ASEAN in various areas and fields. But, of course, I still need your full cooperation in the next days. Nevertheless, we do appreciate it very much," he said.

Meanwhile, the outcome documents include a number of instruments dealing with the rise of radicalization and violent extremism, innovation, cybercrime, malnutrition, and protection of the rights of ASEAN migrant workers, among other issues, as well as reports on developments in the regional bloc's external relations.

The SOM leaders also discussed preparations for the accession of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.

Iran’s request to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation was approved by the ASEAN in the 49th Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos in July 2016.

The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation is a peace treaty among Southeast Asia countries established by the founding ASEAN members. (PNA)

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