President Duterte will join fellow Southeast Asian leaders in Busan, South Korea next week to talk about peace, prosperity, and partnership as the regional bloc and the East Asian nation celebrate 30 years of ties this year.
Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Junever Mahilum-West made the statement as Duterte is set to embark on a three-day visit to Busan tomorrow to participate in the 2019 Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit.
In a pre-departure briefing on the President’s trip, West said Duterte will join other Southeast Asian leaders to talk about the common areas of interest between the regional bloc and South Korea and the future of their partnership.
“We are expected to discuss the current direction of our partnership and cooperation on areas of mutual concern,” West said yesterday.
The leaders are also expected to talk about the issue on the Korean Peninsula.
“The most pressing, most important regional security issue will be the Korean Peninsula. So leaders will exchange views on that issue,” she added.
According to West, the main summit on Nov. 26 will be composed of two sessions: A discussion on the 30 years of cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and South Korea, and one which will focus more on connectivity.
She also said that two outcome documents are expected in the summit: The ASEAN-ROK Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity, and Partnership, and the Co-Chairs’ Statement on the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit and these two represent the strong partnership between the ASEAN and South Korea. (Argyll Geducos)
