By BERNAMA / Pic By TMR File

FOREIGN Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (picture) is leading the Malaysian delegation to the 52nd Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM), Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) and Related Meetings from July 28 to Aug 3 in Bangkok.

In a statement, Wisma Putra said Asean foreign ministers would discuss issues related to the Asean community, implementation of the Asean Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, Asean’s future direction, as well as preparations for the 35th Asean Summit and Related Summits, scheduled to be held in November.

“The foreign ministers will also discuss and exchange views on matters relating to regional and international issues of common interest such as developments in the South China Sea, situations in the Rakhine State and Korean peninsula, counter-terrorism, violent extremism, maritime security and other non-traditional security issues,” it said.

Thailand, the current chair of Asean, hosts the 52nd AMM, PMC and Related Meetings at Centara Grand and Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld in Bangkok. Saifuddin was accompanied by his wife Datin Norlin Shamsul Bahri, senior officials from the Foreign Ministry and the Permanent Mission of Malaysia to Asean in Jakarta, Indonesia. The AMM will be preceded by several preparatory meetings at the senior officials’ level, the statement said.

In addition, Saifuddin and other Asean foreign ministers will also be attending the PMC with Asean dialogue partners, namely Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US.

Malaysia is the country coordinator for the Asean-Australia Dialogue Relations for the term 2018-2021.

Saifuddin and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Women of Australia Senator Marise Payne will co-chair the Asean-Australia Ministerial Meeting on Aug 1.

The Asean foreign ministers will also participate in the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Commission Meeting, the 20th Asean Plus Three Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the 9th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 26th Asean Regional Forum.

The Asean foreign ministers are also scheduled to have an interface with the Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights representatives.

Wisma Putra said Saifuddin is also expected to hold several bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Asean and dialogue partners on the sidelines of the Asean meeting to discuss and strengthen cooperation on strategic issues of common concerns.

At the conclusion of the 52nd AMM, PMC and Related Meetings, the foreign ministers are expected to adopt a number of outcome documents, including the 52nd AMM Joint Communique, which will highlight the discussions as well as key decisions made during the meetings.

The Asean foreign ministers are scheduled to witness the signing ceremony of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) in South-East Asia by Peru.

The TAC serves as a key code of conduct for inter-state relations in South-East Asia, with the main aim of promoting peace and security in the region. Thailand said Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha will officiate the Asean meeting tomorrow.

Prior to the opening ceremony, the Asean foreign ministers will pay a courtesy call on Prayut.

Thailand Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai will chair the AMM and co-chair the PMC with dialogue Partners and other meetings. — Bernama