The Philippines has renewed its call for the cessation of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia during an economic forum where senior officials from Russia were present.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Daniel Espiritu made the call during the 18th ASEAN-Russia Senior Officials’ Meeting (ARSOM) held on May 23 via video conference.
When the officials tackled regional and international issues, Espiritu joined the call to “strongly urge the parties to the Ukraine-Russia conflict to exert all efforts for the cessation of hostilities, to de-escalate the situation, and continue serious dialogue and diplomacy to settle disputes.”
Espiritu also shared the ASEAN’s call for respect for principles to address the humanitarian crisis and safe access to humanitarian assistance in Ukraine.
The DFA official also expressed the Philippines’ view that Russia as a dialogue partner should maintain its standing and representation in ASEAN meetings.
“But we continue to reiterate to all of our external partners that no one should be allowed to disrupt or derail ASEAN-led activities, exclude any partner from them or to destroy the ASEAN process. Member inclusivity, and more importantly, ASEAN centrality should be maintained,” he Espiritu stressed.
Espiritu emphasized the need to build back better after the pandemic by enhancing trade and investments between ASEAN and Russia.
He stressed the need for regional infrastructure as well for ASEAN societies to keep up with the rapid changes in digitalization.
He also pushed for the review of ongoing cooperation and the future direction of ASEAN-Russia dialogue relations across political, economic, and socio-cultural security.
The ASEAN and Russia will meet anew in Phnom Penh in August 2022 at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference Session with dialogue partners.