ASEAN Holds Special Foreign Ministers' Meeting to Discuss Spillover Effects of Middle East Situation

On the 13th, foreign ministers of ASEAN member countries held a special online meeting to discuss the potential impact of the Middle East situation on regional economic stability, energy security, and the safety of ASEAN citizens, calling on all parties involved in the Middle East conflict to immediately cease hostilities.
According to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, the foreign ministers engaged in in-depth discussions on the spillover effects of the conflict, focusing on issues such as energy supply chains, commodity prices, macroeconomic stability, and the personal safety of ASEAN citizens currently in conflict zones.
As the rotating chair of ASEAN, the Philippines urged member countries to take swift action to ensure the safety of ASEAN citizens abroad and to maintain regional energy supply chain stability.
Philippine Foreign Minister and ASEAN Chair, Lazaro, stated at a press conference after the meeting that the immediate priority is to push all parties in the conflict to stop hostilities immediately.
Unity and collective action remain the most effective ways for ASEAN to respond.
Recently, several Filipino community organizations held protests near the U.S. Embassy in Manila, calling for an immediate ceasefire. (Xinhua News Agency)