Several declarations to be signed during ASEAN Summit and related summits

Leaders from 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and six dialogue partners will sign several declarations to facilitate the region's integration and cooperation during the 12th ASEAN summit meetings, Alberto G. Romulo, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs said here Wednesday.

In a statement read out by spokesperson of the 12th ASEAN Summit Vic Lecaros in Cebu Wednesday afternoon, Romulo said the Philippines will help build "solid foundation" for deeper regional integration and community-building after the 12th ASEAN summit meetings resumed.

The 12th ASEAN Summit and related summits were postponed by the Philippines last December, citing reason of a looming typhoon threatening Cebu City, central Philippines.

Leaders from 10 ASEAN countries and its six dialogue partners, namely China, Japan, Republic of Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand, will gathered here to discuss issues concerning integration and cooperation within the region in Cebu after the 12th ASEAN Summit and related summits were re-scheduled from Jan. 12 to Jan. 15

Romulo said in the statement that leaders from 10 ASEAN countries will sign the Cebu Declaration Towards a Caring and Sharing Community to reinforce their commitment to address issues like poverty alleviation, improvement of children and women's social conditions, migrant safety, mitigating disasters and potential pandemic diseases, all key common concerns in the region.

Romulo, who is also Chair of the ASEAN Standing Committee, announced that the Philippines will host next month a meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum during which experts and eminent persons will discuss the security situation in Northeast Asia.

"At this meeting, in the spirit of our offer, as ASEAN Chair to facilitate or host the Six-party Talks, the Philippines will call for the holding and will offer to host a Track-Two, informal gathering of the countries involved in the Six-party Talks," Romulo said in the statement.

Romulo said ASEAN leaders are determined to hasten the realization of the community by signing the Cebu Declaration on the Acceleration of the Establishment of an ASEAN Community by 2015, together with the Cebu Declaration on the Blueprint for the ASEAN Charter.

He said the Cebu Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers will also be signed by the leaders to protect the large number of migrant workers from ASEAN countries.

The ASEAN leaders will also sign the ASEAN Convention on Counter-terrorism, Romulo said, as "global terrorism has assumed new forms of virulence and we will make sure that the community is more secure and resistant to the threat of terror."

A declaration on East Asian energy security is also expected to be signed by leaders from ASEAN countries and its dialogue partners to give the broader East Asian region the fuel to energize their growth, according to the statement.

France and Timor Leste will also formalize their accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, Romulo added.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Source: Xinhua