By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, March 26 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Secretariat has pledged support to its member states as they are set to embark on the next chapter of the ASEAN community-building journey beyond 2025.
According to the Secretariat, this commitment was expressed by ASEAN Secretary General Dr Kao Kim Hourn during a meeting with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono at the ministry on Tuesday.
The ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its strategic plans are expected to be adopted at the upcoming 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in May.
The Secretariat added that other key issues of importance to ASEAN discussed during the meeting included preparations for the 46th ASEAN Summit, Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN, as well as ASEAN’s external relations.
Kao also took the opportunity to inform Sugiono on major activities planned to be held at the ASEAN Headquarters this year, including on the ASEAN Day.
Separately, Indonesian Foreign Ministry in a statement said, Sugiono appreciated the progress made by the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community Vision in strengthening cross-sectoral synergy within ASEAN.
“I emphasised the importance of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 as a strategic roadmap for advancing the ASEAN Community,” he said.
Sugiono’s meeting with Kao was the second of its kind this year, following their previous meeting in January, which also covered a number of strategic issues, as well as Indonesia’s active role in advancing the ASEAN Community.
The minister also reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to supporting Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN, including through the establishment of the Timor-Leste Unit at the ASEAN Headquarters.
-- BERNAMA
