Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung attends Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Middle East situation
WVR - On the afternoon of March 13, ASEAN Foreign Ministers held a special online meeting on the situation of the Middle East. Politburo Member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung participated in the conference.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung speaking at the conference. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Speaking at the conference, Politburo Member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung shared ASEAN's common stance on the conflict in the Middle East, opposing the use of force and emphasizing the principles of respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, adherence to international law, the United Nations Charter, resolving differences through peaceful means, and the obligation of parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure. Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung also appreciated ASEAN's timely consultations, building a common stance, and urgent meetings to discuss coordination measures.
Amidst the conflict in the Middle East causing severe and widespread impacts on the region, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized the spirit of solidarity and unity, urging ASEAN to further strengthen cohesion, promote a culture of dialogue, peacefully resolve all differences, adhere to international law, the United Nations Charter, as well as the principles and norms of conduct outlined in the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
At international forums, including the United Nations, ASEAN needs to enhance coordination, unify positions, and uphold international law and multilateralism.
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| ASEAN Foreign Ministers participate in a special online meeting to discuss recent tensions in the Middle East and coordinate responses to potential impacts on the ASEAN region. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Regarding the economy, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung affirmed that resilience and sustainability are key factors. ASEAN needs to effectively implement agreed commitments and measures, enhance intra-regional economic integration, infrastructure connectivity, and ensure energy security, including accelerating key energy cooperation projects like the ASEAN Power Grid and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline, and be ready to activate emergency support mechanisms within the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement framework.
Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized that ASEAN countries need to maintain and prioritize energy supply for each other, especially oil and gas. Additionally, ASEAN should effectively leverage cooperation agreements with partners, including the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, to diversify energy sources.
Regarding citizen protection, Minister Le Hoai Trung urged countries to continue close coordination and support each other's citizens; affirming that Vietnamese embassies in the Middle East are always open and ready to assist ASEAN citizens in difficult or emergency situations.
In their exchanges, ASEAN Foreign Ministers continued to express deep concern over the escalating conflict, which has serious repercussions on the political-security and economic environment in the region and globally. The Ministers reaffirmed ASEAN's common stance as stated in the Joint Statement on March 4, calling for respect for international law, the United Nations Charter, cessation of hostilities, maximum restraint, and resolution of differences through peaceful and diplomatic means, respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, and protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung emphasized that ASEAN needs to continue strengthening solidarity, the role of dialogue, and diplomacy in addressing regional and international challenges, calling for enhanced coordination within ASEAN to respond to the impacts of the Middle East conflict on regional economic and energy security. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
The Foreign Ministers shared the assessment that the conflict in the Middle East has had and continues to have far-reaching impacts on the global economy, particularly destabilizing energy markets and disrupting key maritime routes and supply chains, negatively affecting regional economic prospects and community-building efforts. The Ministers agreed that ASEAN should effectively utilize existing mechanisms and cooperation frameworks, including the Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security, the ASEAN Power Grid, and the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline, while enhancing cooperation with partners to diversify supply sources and strengthen logistics chains.
The Foreign Ministers also emphasized that ASEAN needs to continue strengthening solidarity and cooperation, prioritizing the increase of intra-regional trade and investment, supporting energy and food security, and coordinating macroeconomic stability.
Concerning citizen protection, the Ministers agreed that ASEAN will continue to coordinate closely and be ready to support each other's citizens in emergencies or crises in the Middle East, in accordance with agreed rules and procedures. The Ministers also agreed to enhance coordination with economic, cultural, and social channels to adopt a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach to addressing the comprehensive challenges posed.
At the conclusion of the conference, the Philippines, as the ASEAN Chair for 2026, issued a Chairman's Statement summarizing the discussions and key outcomes.
