MANILA, Aug. 7 — Eighteen foreign ministers met in Manila Monday for the 7th East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Chaired by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, the EAS discusses the future direction of East Asian cooperation.
In his opening statement, Cayetano said the 7th EAS aimed to move forward cooperation in various areas that would result to a positive change for the region.
“The East Asia Summit, in the evolving ASEAN-led regional architecture, provides us with a platform for dialogue on broad, strategic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability, and economic prosperity in East Asia,” he noted.
“We shall exchange views on the future direction of the EAS cooperation on regional and international issues of common concern that have profound impact on peace and security of our region and discuss preparations for the 12th East Asia Summit scheduled in November 2017,” Cayetano added.
The EAS is composed of the 10 member states of ASEAN and its eight dialogue partners including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and United States. (Kris Crismundo/PNA)
