Lao PDR, 'Maris' revealed that the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting raised the situation in the Middle East for discussion and called for the release of 6 Thai hostages. Singapore said that it is a member of ASEAN. Mr. Maris Sengiampong, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who attended the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Ministerial Meetings in Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic, revealed that during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, there was a discussion on the situation in the Middle East. Many countries confirmed their support for the call for talks and to stop actions that lead to the problem escalating. They also asked all parties to come together to talk to solve the problem. They also called for the release of the hostages, especially the six Thai hostages. Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, said in the meeting that the six Thais are considered ASEAN members. Therefore, ASEAN should speak with one voice when its ASEAN friends are affected. On t he issue of Russia and Ukraine, ASEAN believes that it should be resolved peacefully and calls for respect for international law, including the UN Charter, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all parties involved. Regarding the South China Sea, Mr. Maris said that ASEAN discussed that the establishment of the COC is an important part and would like to see this process, with discussions between ASEAN and China continuing in the right direction. Meanwhile, the Philippines said that it has started to try to talk with China, which is a good sign in solving the problem. The situation in the South China Sea should use more peaceful discussions. Source: Thai News Agency
