PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will attend the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and related meetings in Phnom Penh in Cambodia on November 10-13, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday.

“These will be the first Asean Summits to be held in person since the onset of the pandemic, and the first to be attended by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. since he assumed the Presidency,” the DFA said.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary and Philippine Senior Officials’ Meeting Leader Ma. Theresa Lazaro on October 5 participated in the Asean Joint Consultative Meeting and Related Meetings in Cambodia, where preparations for the upcoming leaders’ meetings were discussed.

The Senior Officials also exchanged views on cross-sectoral and cross-pillar issues of concern, ASEAN’s post-pandemic economic recovery initiatives, the application of Timor-Leste to become a member of ASEAN, accession of countries to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and various regional and international issues.

“The Philippines appreciates Cambodia’s earnest efforts in keeping ASEAN together under its Chairmanship this year and pursuing the implementation of its priorities and key deliverables, despite the ever-changing geopolitical dynamics and socio-economic challenges exacerbated by COVID-19,” Lazaro said.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo on Thursday reaffirmed Manila’s commitment to working with Southeast Asian states to strengthen ASEAN bodies to help maintain a peaceful and stable region.

“As we prepare now for the ASEAN summit in November, the Philippines has recommitted to the formulation of an ASEAN community vision that strengthens our institutions and mechanisms and enables Asean member states to craft regional policies and implement programs and activities with a certain degree of independence from external influences,” he said.

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Cristina Lee-Pisco