ASEAN agrees to maintain centrality: FM Sugiono

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (ANTARA) - ASEAN leaders agreed to maintain the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, aiming to keep the forum always dynamic and adaptable to all changes, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Sugiono stated.

"We all agreed that ASEAN's centrality must be maintained. ASEAN is a forum that must be dynamic, able to adapt to all changes, and still pay attention to the interests of its member countries," he stated in Kuala Lumpur on Monday (May 26).

ASEAN leaders expressed their commitment during the Plenary Session at the 46th ASEAN Summit held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC), Malaysia.

Sugiono explained that the plenary session addressed the theme of "Building the ASEAN Community," including discussions on ASEAN's current position, the organization's perspective on geopolitical dynamics, and the bloc's ability to respond to these dynamics.

ASEAN leaders also discussed cohesiveness and maintaining unity in order to become a regional force to be reckoned with and a valuable asset.

Sugiono noted that ASEAN's potential, including its 660 million population, can help the region become a major economic power. He further highlighted that the region also benefits from various commodities for intra-regional trade, positioning ASEAN as an economic power, greater than other regions.

He also touched on the discussion of Timor-Leste's permanent membership in ASEAN, noting that the country has applied to become a member since 2004.

Politically, ASEAN leaders agreed to accept Timor-Leste as a member. At the 47th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, Sugiono stated that Timor-Leste is expected to become a full member.

From the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat session, he stated that the forum addressed the Myanmar crisis and ASEAN's perspective and ability to deal with turmoil in the geoeconomic situation.

A meeting was also held between the heads of state and representatives of parliaments from each ASEAN country, followed by a meeting of “ASEAN Youth” and the business community on the sidelines of the summit.

Meanwhile, the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit will take place on Tuesday, with related parties hoping for a more concrete result rather than merely a meeting.

"Regional cooperation is expected to boost the economy of each region along with intense cooperation," he remarked.