Duterte, biyaheng SG para sa ASEAN Summit

Inaasahang tatalakayin sa 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit at iba pang summit sa Singapore ang isyu sa South China Sea sa susunod na linggo, ayon sa Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Sa pre-departure briefing sa Malacañang nitong Biyernes ng umaga, sinabi ni DFA Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West na ang South China Sea ang isa sa mga regional issues na tatalakayin, kasabay ng Korean peninsula.

“As you know, the Philippines has assumed the coordinatorship of the ASEAN-China dialogue partnership from this year until 2021, that’s a period of three years. And we are quite sure that the South China Sea, as I’ve mentioned before, would be one of those regional developments that would be taken up in the Summit. As to the detail of the discussions, I cannot say but for sure there’s going to be discussion on the South China Sea,” sabi niya.

PAGPUPULONG

Ayon kay West, ang 10 ASEAN leaders ay magkakaroon ng sariling pulong. Bukod diyan, magkakaroon din sila ng mga summit kasama ang mga leader mula sa dialogue partners sa Plus One Summit, ASEAN Plus Three, at East Asia Summit.

“They’re going to meet individually with Australia, China, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States,” aniya.

“At the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, that means ASEAN 10 with the leaders of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. And in the East Asia Summit, which includes Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia, and the United States,” dagdag niya.

TALAKAYAN

Sa ilalim ng chairmanship theme ng Singapore na Resilient and Innovative ASEAN, sinabi ni West na sisilipin ng ASEAN Member States ang mga pagbabago sa ASEAN Smart Cities Network, isang inisyatibo na umaasa ng pagsulong ng city development, sustainable urbanization, at connectivity sa hanay ng ASEAN countries.

“We can expect engaging discussions on regional and international issues that impact on the peace, security, and overall well-being of the peoples of our region,” aniya.

RCEP

Samantala, isasagawa ang ikalawang summit sa Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) upang alamin ang progreso sa negosasyon ng napakahalagang dokumentong ito.

“During the Summit, the leaders would express their commitment to conclude the negotiations because this is very important for the region, especially in view of the rising trade developments, tensions, unilateral actions, and we expect the leaders to call for the expeditious conclusion of the RCEP,” sabi ni West.

“The leaders won’t say that we will finish by this year, but will call on all parties to make sure that we have an early conclusion of the agreement,” dagdag niya.