FOREIGN Ministers of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held a one-day ministerial level meeting in Malaysia on Sunday (April 26).
The preparation meeting at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre came ahead of the leaders summit on Monday (April 27) where heads of state of the regional bloc will meet to discuss a slew of regional and international issues.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea and establishment of an integrated economy ASEAN Economic Community to improve trade ties are expected to be discussed during the two-day meeting.
Malaysia is the host of this year’s summit. A draft end-statement seen by Reuters showed the rotating chair could steer clear of criticizing China’s actions in the South China Sea despite Philippines President Benigno Aquino’s call to issue a collective statement condemning China’s reclamation in the resource rich disputed waters. (Reuters)
