ASEAN foreign ministers express serious concern over renewed Iran-US hostilities, urging restraint and dialogue ahead of a key meeting with Washington.
MANILA: The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) conveyed “serious concern” over the resumption of hostilities between Iran and the United States in West Asia, The Philippine News Agency (PNA) reported.
In a joint statement, Southeast Asia’s top diplomats present at the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting plenary session in Pasay City on Tuesday called on both Iran and the US to exercise utmost self-restraint and avoid any acts that may further aggravate the situation.
“There is, of course, serious concern on the developments in West Asia. In fact, if you notice, this is the only document that involves geopolitics in our discussions,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said in a post-meeting huddle with the press.
“This is of such urgency that we have to release the document (joint statement) as soon as possible,” she added.
The ministers warned that the developments “severely undermine the ongoing efforts of key mediators and diminish the prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.”
“We underscored the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, upholding international law, and promoting genuine dialogue and diplomacy in addressing conflicts and tensions, including the need for a complete and immediate cessation of hostilities across all fronts in West Asia,” the joint statement read.
The ministers said countries must maintain maritime safety and security in the Strait of Hormuz, and uphold freedom of navigation in and overflight above straits used for international navigation in accordance with international law.
They then expressed “deep concern over any discriminatory or unilateral measures that may impede or obstruct vessels” transiting through the passage.
The statement was issued a day ahead of the foreign ministers’ meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the upcoming ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the US on July 22.
US President Donald Trump earlier declared the temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran as over. The United Nations has since called on all parties to step up diplomatic efforts towards a peaceful and durable settlement that includes the “full restoration of international navigational rights and freedoms in and around the Strait of Hormuz.”
