JAKARTA, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Foreign ministers from 10 ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, and ASEAN partner countries discussed challenges faced by the bloc and its cooperation with other countries at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Post Ministerial Conference (AMM-PMC) which kicked off here Tuesday.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi in the opening remarks called on the leaders of the bloc to together show the world that ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) can navigate the regional and global dynamics and continue to create the paradigm of collaboration.
Marsudi said ASEAN needs to show its credibility, by consistently implementing ASEAN Charter on decision-making processes, particularly in emergency situations, being in the driver's seat in navigating regional dynamics.
"This is why we need to expand our inclusive engagement with other regions, and take bold steps to deter any potential conflicts and aggressively fight for peace through preventive diplomacy," Marsudi said.
The AMM-PMC, held from July 11 to July 14, comprised a series of meetings, including ASEAN ministerial meetings with various countries and the European Union respectively.
Besides, the 24th ASEAN Plus Three Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 13th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting and the 30th ASEAN Regional Forum are also listed on the agenda.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
