KUALA LUMPUR: The 47th Asean Summit, which kicks off today, is expected to address regional peace efforts including the Thailand-Cambodia conflict with US President Donald Trump among those attending.
After several rounds of dialogue at the Defence and Foreign Ministers’ level, the resolution between the two countries demonstrates that the Asean bloc is capable of managing internal disputes entirely on its own, without the involvement of major powers.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that upholding all of the commitment to the “Asean Way” was crucial, adding that border conflict between the neighbours this year has opened up some anxieties within the Asean community.
“Fortunately, thanks to the tireless mediation efforts, tensions have de-escalated.
“We commend both countries for choosing the path of diplomacy and dialogue to resolve their differences,” he said in his opening remarks at the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting yesterday.
The joint peace declaration between Thailand and Cambodia, is expected to be witnessed by Trump, who will be arriving in the country today for his first official visit, along with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as Asean Chair.
In a statement by Wisma Putra yesterday, the ministry said this marks Trump’s first visit to South-East Asia since taking office as the 47th president of the United States in January this year.
Anwar and Trump are scheduled to have a bilateral meeting today.
“Both leaders will discuss efforts to strengthen cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, defence and security, as well as people-to-people relations, in line with the Malaysia-United States Comprehensive Partnership,” said the statement.
Thai and Cambodian officials have been meeting all week to thrash out the details of the agreement to cease hostilities, after border tensions between the two countries exploded into a deadly five-day conflict in July.
The Thailand-Cambodia peace pact will proceed as Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is slated to arrive in Malaysia today to sign a ceasefire deal with Cambodia.
Anutin was initially scheduled to arrive in Kuala Lumpur for the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits yesterday, but deferred the trip following the passing of Queen Sirikit, the mother of the Thai king.
He told reporters in Thailand that he would be in Kuala Lumpur to sign the deal today and would return to Thailand immediately after.
Asean leaders will also deliberate various issues during the summit, including reviewing the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on Myanmar, said the Foreign Ministry.
Wisma Putra said Anwar will chair the Asean Summit, which will be divided into plenary and retreat sessions.
“During the plenary session, the Asean leaders will focus their discussions on issues related to Asean Community-building and Asean’s external relations.
“As for the retreat session, the leaders will review the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar and the way forward in addressing the political and humanitarian crisis in the country, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern,” it said in a statement.
The Five-Point Consensus, agreed upon by Asean in 2021, outlines a roadmap for peace in Myanmar.
Mohamad also spoke earlier on how Asean could play a role in various conflicts, including the Gaza conflict and South China Sea, among others.
The opening ceremony of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits today will be attended by Asean leaders, including the President and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, guests of the Asean Chair, as well as other invited dignitaries.
During the ceremony, the signing of the declaration on the admission of Timor-Leste into Asean will take place, marking its formal admission as the 11th Asean member state, said Wisma Putra.
“The leaders will deliberate, among others, on ways to deepen regional integration, stimulate economic growth, and enhance Asean connectivity,” it said.
On the same day, Canada and the European Union will also be sharing their perspectives on further consolidating and deepening their respective dialogue relations with Asean, said the Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will be briefing the leaders on IMF’s latest global macroeconomic assessments, policy implications for Asean, and avenues to deepen IMF-Asean collaboration.
The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits will conclude on Tuesday.
