HRH Princess Hajah Masna Attends Ending Asean Ministers Meet

Jakarta – The Asean Post-Ministerial Conferences - Asean+1 session and the Asean+10 Retreat concluded on Thursday with an overview of the future direction of Asean cooperation with its Dialogue Partners.

Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brunei, together with other Asean Foreign Ministers attended the Asean-European Union session, the Asean PMC+10 Retreat and the PMC Joint Press Conference.

During the meetings, the Ministers noted that progress had been achieved in developing cooperation and agreed to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation. The meetings were held at the Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC).

The Princess attended the Asean-EU meeting together with her counterparts from Malaysia, Laos and Cambodia.

The session was co-chaired by Hassan Wirajuda, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

EU was represented by Mr Javier Solana, who in his remarks highlighted the key developments towards a more effective EU Common and Security Policy, which will be of interest to his Asean partners.

They are the EU enlargement programme and a new constitution which, he said, should help to ensure greater continuity in EU's dealings with key international partners, including Asean.

Mr Solana also stated that EU must work together with other regional organisations, including Asean, to pursue common objectives.

The Princess together with other Asean Foreign Ministers proceeded to another part of the JCC for the Asean+10 Retreat.

During the retreat, the ministers discussed two important topics, namely the Asean Community and the outcomes of the G-8 Summit.

They also deliberated on other international issues of common concern.

The ministers of Asean Dialogue Partners expressed their support toward the concept of the Asean Community made up of the Asean Economic Community, Asean Security Community (ASC) and Asean Socio-cultural Community.

They believed that the Community would bring peace, stability and prosperity to the Asean region, which in turn, would also contribute to peace and stability in the whole Asia-Pacific region.

The Asean Ministers and their Dialogue Partners also exchanged views on the outcomes of the G-8 Summit, especially with regard to the roles of the private sectors in alleviating poverty as well as the negotiations in the World Trade Organisation.

The Asean+10 Retreat ended with a Joint Press Conference.

The Princess attended the conference together with the rest of the Asean Foreign Ministers and Dialogue Partners.

The Ministers of Asean Dialogue Partners supported the ASC as an undertaking to strengthen regional resilience and capacity to cope with current and future international challenges.

With regard to the Asean Socio-cultural community, the dialogue partners said it would involve the participation of the whole stakeholders, especially women, in the development.

By involving the stakeholders, they believed the venture would bring benefits to Asean countries in overcoming challenges, particularly in alleviating poverty to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

The dialogue partners also pledged their commitment to assist Asean in the undertakings.

Later in the evening, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna and other Asean Foreign Ministers and delegates from the Dialogue Partners attended a working dinner.

The function was held at the Summit Room of the JCC.

The Asean Dialogue Partners comprise Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russia, the United States, and the Secretary-General of the European Council who is also the High Representative of the European Union. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei

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