The ASEAN summit, which brings together the countries of Southeast Asia, concluded this Friday, October 11 in Vientiane, Laos. As always, this bloc of ten countries had invited its main partners: the United States, China, India, Japan and Russia. It was a rare opportunity to bring together powers with divergent interests in the same room, in a context of tensions between Washington, Moscow and Beijing.
Published on: 10/11/2024 – 1:24 p.m.
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The exchange of arms between Antony Blinken, the Secretary ofUS stateand Sergei Lavrov, the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs, was eagerly awaited. In fact, the two men maintain no direct contact, which means that it is through intermediary speeches that they exchange their points of view.
The American made the connection between the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and Chinese aims on Taiwanwhose recent maritime maneuvers worry its Asian neighbors. “ All the countries present in this room, Blinken said, have made it clear that Ukraine’s aggression must stop… also because they know that if a country is allowed to act with impunity, it is a signal to potential aggressors around the world. »
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Lavrov responds to accusations
For his part, Sergei Lavrov affirmed that American action in Southeast Asia was “ destructive », accusing Washington in particular of pushing the Japan towards the “ militarization » in a block logic which carries “ risks of confrontation “. This refers to the idea of the new Japanese Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, to create a regional military alliance modeled on NATO.
Note that on the sidelines of this summit of theAseanJapan and South Korea have strengthened their defense cooperation, in view of the military rapprochements between North Korea and Russia.
Long undermined by historical disputes, relations between Tokyo and Seoul have warmed up significantly since 2023 with the rise of the Chine and threats nuclear North Koreans.
Read alsoThe Sino-American rivalry, underlying issue of the Asean summit
Title: ASEAN Summit 2024: A Critical Convergence of Divergent Interests
The just-concluded ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos, has once again underscored the importance of multilateral diplomacy in today’s increasingly complex and volatile world. As a blogger and analyst, I have been following this event closely, and I believe that this summit has been a rare opportunity for countries with divergent interests to come together and engage in constructive dialogue.
For those who may be unfamiliar, the ASEAN summit is a biannual gathering of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a bloc of ten Southeast Asian countries that aim to promote economic, social, and cultural development in the region [[3]]. This year’s summit was notable for the participation of major world powers, including the United States, China, India, Japan, and Russia.
Given the current tensions between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing, the ASEAN summit provided a rare platform for these countries to engage in face-to-face diplomacy. The exchange of words between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has been reported, highlighting the significance of this gathering in facilitating dialogue between nations with competing interests[[[[news article]].
However, the ASEAN summit is not just about grand politics; it is also about fostering economic cooperation and integration among its member states. As noted on the ASEAN website, the organization has been working towards a more integrated and connected Southeast Asia since its founding in 1967 [[1]]. The recent 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, underscored the region’s commitment to promoting trade, investment, and sustainable development [[2]].
As a blogger and analyst, I see several key takeaways from this year’s ASEAN summit. First, the gathering has reinforced the importance of multilateralism in addressing global challenges, from terrorism and climate change to economic inequality and social injustice. Second, it has highlighted the strategic importance of Southeast Asia in the global order, with major powers vying for influence and leadership in the region.
Third, the summit has underscored the challenges of building trust and cooperation among nations with competing interests. While the exchange of words between Blinken and Lavrov has grabbed headlines, the true measure of success lies in the concrete agreements and actions that follow.
As a writer and observer, I believe that the ASEAN summit has been a positive development in the pursuit of global understanding and cooperation. While there are many challenges ahead, the commitment of ASEAN member states and their partners to dialogue, engagement, and cooperation bodes well for the future of regional and global governance.
References:
[1] https://asean.org/44th-and-45th-asean-summits-and-related-summits/
[2] https://asean2023.id/
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASEAN_Summit
