ASEAN foreign ministers are preparing a statement expressing concern over the Middle East conflict and calling for the full reopening of maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to prevent impacts on global energy supplies.
Foreign ministers from the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) began their official meeting in Manila, Philippines, on Tuesday amid concerns about rising tensions in the Middle East, especially the fighting between the US and Iran, which is affecting navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes.
Sources indicate that the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting is preparing to issue a statement expressing concern over the resurgence of conflict in the Middle East and calling for the full reopening of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to maintain the stability of energy supply chains and international trade.
Before the joint meeting with dialogue partners, ASEAN foreign ministers held internal discussions about the impact of the US-Iran conflict and the threat to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, which before the war accounted for about 20% of the world’s maritime oil transport.
Southeast Asia, with a population exceeding 680 million, relies heavily on imports of oil and natural gas from the Middle East, making it directly vulnerable to fluctuations in energy supply and prices caused by the Iran war.
The meeting will also include foreign ministers from major powers, such as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, with security, energy, and regional economic stability expected to be key topics of discussion.
Earlier, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared an energy emergency in March to address risks of fuel, food, and essential goods shortages, as well as to prevent hoarding and price gouging if the Middle East situation prolongs.
This ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting is closely watched as it may reflect the bloc’s united stance on the Middle East crisis and its efforts to push for the Strait of Hormuz to resume normal operations to mitigate economic and energy security impacts regionally and globally.
. Source:AP
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