Preparatory Meetings Reflect A Strong Desire To Take ASEAN-GCC-China Ties To A Higher Level

By Vikneswaran Raman

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Today’s preparatory meetings to finalise the agenda for the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits clearly reflected a strong desire for a strategic cooperation among Southeast Asia, the six oil-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and economic superpower China.

Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin told reporters here that officials were bent on preparing documents that would produce meaningful results to take cooperation among the three parties to a significantly higher level.

“Today’s meetings reflected a strong collective commitment to produce concrete and meaningful outcome documents,” he told reporters after chairing the ASEAN-GCC-China Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting.

He said discussions focused on formulating results that reflect both the achievements and future direction of strategic cooperation among them, especially taking into account the geopolitical challenges in the international arena.

Besides meetings to prepare for the ASEAN summit, the officials finalised documents for the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit to be held on May 26 and 27 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.

The preparatory meetings today began with meetings of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) Meeting and the ASEAN Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting in the morning, followed by the ASEAN-GCC Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting in the afternoon.

He said the ASEAN-GCC Summit is expected to yield two key documents, namely the Joint Statement and Joint Declaration, while the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit will produce the Joint Statement of the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit -- both of which bode well in achieving balanced and mutually beneficial outcomes that enhance regional stability and prosperity.

“We need to pay close attention to the finer details of the issues to be included in the outcome documents. This will require negotiation, but all parties from ASEAN, the GCC and China have demonstrated a constructive spirit to ensure successful outcomes from the upcoming summits,” he said.

Later in the evening, Amran hosted a welcome dinner for the senior officials, which was also attended by representatives from the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the GCC and China at Estate Federal Hill, Bukit Damansara.

Meanwhile, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is stepping up preparations to ensure the smooth arrival of heads of state and delegations, with a total of 6,200 police personnel involved in 24-hour rotational duties, and operations have been running smoothly.

Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department Deputy Director (Operations) DCP M.V. Sri Kumar said that at least four simulation exercises have been carried out in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry and other relevant agencies.

Apart from the high-level engagements, a product exhibition and sales booths, organised in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit, also began today. The public can visit the expo until Sunday, after which it will be exclusive to ASEAN leaders and delegates starting Monday, May 26.

The GCC, which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was founded in 1981 to foster political and economic cooperation among Gulf nations.

Themed “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 marks the country’s fifth time chairing ASEAN, following its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

-- BERNAMA