Amid Global Tensions, PM Lee Urges ASEAN, Major Powers To Foster Strong Cooperation Under Alternative Regional Initiative - CNA

07/09/2023, 17:55 Amid global tensions, PM Lee urges ASEAN, major powers to foster strong cooperation under alternative
alternative regional initiative - CNA
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Amid global tensions, PM Lee urges ASEAN, major powers

to foster strong cooperation under alternative regional
initiative
Global tensions have negatively affected cooperation among major powers in the East Asia
Summit, which involves ASEAN and countries like the United States, China and Russia.
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-led East Asia Forum on Sep 7,
2023, attended by senior representatives of major powers like the US, Russia, China. (Photo: MCI)
Aqil Haziq Mahmud

07 Sep 2023 04:00PM | (Updated: 07 Sep 2023 04:04PM)
JAKARTA: As geopolitical tensions disrupt cooperation among major powers, Singapore

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said these states and the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) should still try to find common ground under an alternative regional
initiative.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/pm-lee-major-powers-tensions-cooperate-asean-3752526 1/7
07/09/2023, 17:55 Amid global tensions, PM Lee urges ASEAN, major powers to foster strong cooperation under alternative regional initiative - CNA
"The international environment is fraught with geopolitical tensions and economic

uncertainty," Mr Lee said on Thursday (Sep 7) at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Jakarta,
referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as well as tensions between the United States
and China.
"The global tensions have also affected EAS cooperation ... In troubled times, all the
more important that we find common ground and project a credible, collective voice."
Related:
US, China need to 'show leadership' to address global issues, crucial

for both to continue dialogue: PM Lee
China warns against 'new Cold War' as big powers meet in Southeast
Asia
Established in 2005, the EAS comprises 18 participating countries, including the 10

ASEAN member states as well as Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South
Korea, Russia and the US.
It is the only forum in the region that brings together leaders of all the key powers, Mr
Lee said. Leaders engage in dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and
economic issues of common interest, with the aim of promoting peace, stability and
economic prosperity in East Asia.
The EAS is also the first high-level encounter between US and Russian officials since a
foreign ministers meeting in Jakarta in July, where US and European officials rounded on
Moscow's top diplomat over the Ukraine conflict.
"Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has undermined the multilateral system. It has violated
international law and vital principles enshrined in the UN Charter," Mr Lee said at the
meeting, attended by Russia's Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Still, Mr Lee highlighted the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) as one platform
to build on the EAS, calling it "omnidirectional and inclusive".
Introduced in 2019, the AOIP is an affirmation of ASEAN's role in maintaining peace,

security, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. The outlook aims to promote
open and inclusive dialogue and cooperation in four priority areas: Maritime, economy,
connectivity and sustainable development goals.
(From left to right) Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, US Vice-
President Kamala Harris, Thailand's Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sarun Charoensuwan,
Vietnam Prime…see more
Mr Lee on Thursday called on EAS partners to take their efforts further through a
collective EAS statement reaffirming the AOIP and ASEAN centrality, noting that almost
all these partners have committed themselves to the AOIP through joint statements with
the regional bloc.
Russia has expressed support for ASEAN centrality, but stopped short of committing to
the mainstreaming of the AOIP.
Mr Lee said EAS members should "tangibly implement" the AOIP under the EAS by
establishing workstreams on the AOIP’s four priority areas, so that members can
contribute their expertise to develop tangible projects.
"With strong cooperation on the AOIP, EAS members can build trust and confidence to
address shared challenges," he said.
INDIA'S SUPPORT "CRUCIAL" TO RESOLVE MYANMAR CRISIS

One such issue, Mr Lee noted, is the Myanmar crisis.
He encouraged EAS partners to work with and support ASEAN’s efforts to stop the
violence, facilitate humanitarian assistance and engage all stakeholders, referring to
terms under the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) that ASEAN has stressed as its main peace
plan for Myanmar.
"I urge EAS members to use their influence to get the Myanmar military authorities to
fully implement the 5PC," he said.
The 5PC includes ending the violence in Myanmar, the establishment of constructive
dialogue and the appointment of a special envoy, among others.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, right, shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as US Vice-
President Kamala Harris and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol look on during the East Asia Summit at the
Association of…see more
During his intervention at the ASEAN-India Summit on Thursday, Mr Lee said India’s
support is "crucial" in addressing common challenges, such as the problem of
Myanmar.
"Our external partners and Myanmar’s neighbours, including India, have important
roles, working with ASEAN to facilitate national reconciliation," he said at the summit,
attended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Mr Lee said ASEAN and India should explore "concrete projects" to implement the AOIP
and collaborate in emerging areas like clean energy and pandemic preparedness.
"We should also strengthen supply chain resilience and food security to address likely
shocks to come," he added.
Mr Lee also said that ASEAN and India must press on with economic integration.
"We hope that the ongoing review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement will
make it more user-friendly and trade facilitative for our businesses," he said.
AUSTRALIA'S ROLE "IMPORTANT" IN ENSURING SECURITY IN

SOUTHEAST ASIA
During the ASEAN-Australia Summit also on Thursday, Mr Lee said Singapore welcomes
the ASEAN-Australia Joint Leaders’ Statement on Food Security.
It reaffirms the countries' commitment to unimpeded trade and flow of food products,
and to building more resilient and sustainable agrifood systems.
"The war in Ukraine and adverse weather events caused by climate change have
disrupted agricultural production and food value chains," Mr Lee said at the forum,
attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Mr Lee also welcomed the signing of an upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free

Trade Area two weeks ago, which he said strengthens the countries' supply chains and
reduces business costs, while setting standards for emerging areas of cooperation like
the digital economy.
He noted that ASEAN has just launched negotiations on an ASEAN Digital Economy
Framework Agreement and hopes to work with Australia "as a frontrunner in this field".
Separately, Mr Lee said that he hopes that ASEAN can leverage on Australia's expertise
in the deployment of renewable energy.
"The Clean Energy and Climate Transition track for next year's Special Summit with
Australia is thus timely," he said.
But Mr Lee also called on ASEAN and Australia to work on tangible projects under the
AOIP to further underpin Australia’s role in the Indo-Pacific, even as Australia's "firm
commitment" to the AOIP signals its continued support for ASEAN centrality.
"Australia’s contributions have been an important factor in ensuring the security and
stability of Southeast Asia," he added.
Source: CNA/hz(as)Best News Website or Mobile Service Digital Media Awards Worldwide 2022
Related Topics
ASEAN ASEAN Summit India Australia
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07/09/2023, 17:55 Amid global tensions, PM Lee urges ASEAN, major powers to foster strong cooperation under alternative

alternative regional initiative - CNA

Amid global tensions, PM Lee urges ASEAN, major powers

Aqil Haziq Mahmud

JAKARTA: As geopolitical tensions disrupt cooperation among major powers, Singapore

"The international environment is fraught with geopolitical tensions and economic

US, China need to 'show leadership' to address global issues, crucial

Established in 2005, the EAS comprises 18 participating countries, including the 10

Introduced in 2019, the AOIP is an affirmation of ASEAN's role in maintaining peace,

INDIA'S SUPPORT "CRUCIAL" TO RESOLVE MYANMAR CRISIS

AUSTRALIA'S ROLE "IMPORTANT" IN ENSURING SECURITY IN

Mr Lee also welcomed the signing of an upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free

ASEAN ASEAN Summit India Australia

Also worth reading

Find out how La Prairie uses caviar in its skincare products at

Business CNA Insider

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