Switzerland (FN), May 25 – Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, as chair of ASEAN 2022, underlined that ASEAN does not need to choose any superpower.
The premier spoke in a special discussion on Strategic Outlook on ASEAN, held in Switzerland.
The discussion was attended by five keynote speakers, including premier Hun Sen and four other economic experts from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Europe.
The talks focused on ASEAN's challenges amidst superpower competition, especially between China and the United States, maritime disputes, food crisis, energy security, climate change and the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
At the forum, premier Hun Sen was given the priority to make a final joint conclusion on the topics discussed, as well as outline some of the priorities that Cambodia will adopt as chair of ASEAN.
Samdech also addressed a number of key challenges, including the geopolitical competition of the superpowers, Indo-Pacific strategy, maritime disputes between China and ASEAN members, and Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Premier Hun Sen recalled that the Indo-Pacific Initiative is created to counter Chinese influence in Southeast Asia. However, he added that any initiative must serve three purposes: first, to serve peace and development; second, not to oppose any country; and third: serve the ASEAN centrality.
Regarding the maritime dispute between China and ASEAN member states, premier Hun Sen stated that ASEAN continues to push for the implementation of the Declaration of Conduct in South China Sea (DOC), which was issued when Cambodia chaired ASEAN in 2002, as well as Code of Conduct for the South China Sea (COC). In particular, the promotion of dialogue between the parties to the conflict.
Samdech also mentioned that the biggest challenge for the world and ASEAN is Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
“Imposing sanctions should be stopped as it negatively affects both parties,” the premier said.
At the end of the intervention, premier Hun Sen highlighted that in order to solve the crisis, ASEAN will strive to promote ASEAN integration as soon as possible through various agreements, especially free trade agreements.
=FRESH NEWS
