At the event (Photo: asean.org)Jakarta(VNA) – The Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United States reaffirmed theircommitment to further strengthen their longstanding relations at the 35th ASEAN-US Dialogue held on March 7 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Sidharto Suryodipuro, Director-General ofASEAN Cooperation at the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and DanielKritenbrink, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairsco-chaired the event, which brought together senior officials of ASEAN member states, the Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Political-Security Community, and Timor-Leste as Observer.
The US conveyed its unwavering support forASEAN Community-building efforts, assistance towards the region’s recovery fromthe COVID-19 pandemic, and commitment to ASEAN Centrality through its activeparticipation in ASEAN-led mechanisms.
Building on the momentum of thecommemoration of the 45th anniversary of their dialogue relations and theestablishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership last year, the meetingacknowledged the strengthening of cooperation between both sides across thethree ASEAN Community pillars.
The two sides looked forward to the adoptionof the Annex to the ASEAN-US Plan of Action for 2021-2025 at the ASEAN PostMinisterial Conference Plus One (PMC 1) Session with the US in July, as well asthe convening of the 11th ASEAN-US Summit in September this year.
ASEAN and the US underscored the importanceof enhancing cooperation in the four key areas outlined in the ASEAN Outlook onthe Indo-Pacific (AOIP) including concrete actions to support itsimplementation, as well as in other areas such as maritime cooperation;transnational crime, combatting trafficking in person, non-proliferation anddisarmament; intra-parliamentary cooperation; digital economy, trade, investment,and financial stability.
To speed up awareness of the ASEAN-USrelations on both sides, the US expressed its intention to establish anASEAN-US centre.
The US reaffirmed its commitment tosupport Timor-Leste as an observer of ASEAN with the relevant capacity-buildingprogrammes./.
