JAKARTA—Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo took part in a Special Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) at the Asean Secretariat on October 27.
The conference evaluated the modest progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, which was reached during the Asean Leaders’ Meeting on April 24. Member-states, including Myanmar’s military government, agreed on the consensus to settle the political crisis in the said country. The gathering also discussed its representation in Asean meetings.
Preparing for the 40th and 41st Asean Summits in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on November 11 and 12, the foreign ministers also considered recommendations for elevation to the Asean leaders, in response to the situation in Myanmar.
Prior to the special meeting, Manalo conversed with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai of Thailand to discuss bilateral relations, and possible ways forward on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
US VP visit
MEANWHILE, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on October 29 announced the forthcoming visit of United States Vice President Kamala Harris in Manila.
“The DFA looks forward to welcoming…Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff,” the department said in a statement. “This will be yet another excellent opportunity to further strengthen our engagement with the US, following the recent high-level meetings and exchange of visits between our two countries.”
It further stated: “The DFA is coordinating closely with the US Embassy…to finalize arrangements for the working visit of the VPOTUS [vice president of the US] and the SGOTUS [second gentleman of the US]. We will share further details as soon as possible.”
Image credits: DFA