ASEAN To Focus On Energy, Terror Fight Under Philippine Chairmanship
Komfie Manalo - All Headline News Foreign Correspondent Manila, Philippines (AHN) - Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo on Thursday said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations would focus on improving regional energy and anti-terror cooperation under the chairmanship of the Philippines. Romulo said the 10-nation ASEAN will be lead by the Philippines to achieve its goal of becoming a major economic powerhouse. He said the Philippines was "up to the challenge" as it prepares to host this year's annual summit of the region's leaders. He said during the first meeting of the ASEAN Stancing Committee preparing for the summit, "As chair, the Philippines is committed to building on the accomplishments of our predecessors and steering our region towards integration and greater development." He said ASEAN should try to move away from being a net oil importer and focus on energy security cooperation among its members. The Philippines would steer the regional grouping into creating a region-wide convention on counter-terrorism, he said. Romulo said one of ASEAN's priorities was to improve energy security cooperation within the region, which is a net oil importer. Leaders of the 10-nation bloc are to hold this year's annual summit on the central island of Cebu in December. Leaders from China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India would also be attending the summit. The Philippines assumed th |
