With rising tensions in the South China Sea and the crisis in Burma on the table, delegates from China, Europe, Russia, the USA are expected at the July 27 summit
The 57th meeting of the group’s foreign ministers is being held in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, the country that holds the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The theme of the summit, to be held from July 21 to 27, is “ASEAN: Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience.” 25 meetings have been scheduled, involving 31 countries with more than 1000 delegates, as well as delegates from countries in the group other than Laos: Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia.
The political issues on the agenda include the crisis in Myanmar, which has led to civil war and tensions in the South China Sea, and the focus will be on Saturday’s summit, which will be attended by delegates from the United States, the European Union, Japan, China, Russia.
“The meetings will focus on strengthening ASEAN community building and enhancing ASEAN connectivity and resilience, in line with the theme of the Laos Chairmanship in ASEAN, by implementing the nine priorities of the Lao ASEAN Chairmanship until 2024, implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, and developing strategic plans to implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. At the same time, the meetings will discuss cooperation between ASEAN and external partners through ASEAN-led mechanisms, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest and concern,” the Lao Foreign Ministry said in a statement.