ASEAN Foreign Ministers Express ‘Serious Concern’ Over Middle East Crisis, Call for Restraint
Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Tuesday voiced “serious concern” over the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East, urging all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could further intensify the conflict.
In a joint statement, the ministers said the worsening situation was undermining diplomatic efforts and reducing the chances of a peaceful resolution.
“The developments severely undermine ongoing efforts by key mediators and diminish prospects for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy,” the statement said.
The Middle East crisis is expected to feature prominently during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, alongside regional security issues ranging from tensions in the South China Sea to Myanmar’s prolonged political crisis.
South China Sea Tensions Add to Security Concerns
The meeting comes amid renewed friction between China and the Philippines following a confrontation at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
The United States condemned what it described as China’s “dangerous” actions after Philippine authorities alleged that Chinese Coast Guard personnel assaulted Filipino sailors during Monday’s incident. Beijing, however, accused Manila of provoking the confrontation by approaching a Chinese vessel with small inflatable boats.
The clash has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in the South China Sea, where China claims sovereignty over most of the strategic waterway despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling rejecting its expansive territorial claims.
The latest incident is also expected to complicate long-running negotiations between ASEAN and China on a Code of Conduct for the South China Sea, an agreement aimed at preventing future confrontations.
Rubio Signals Support for Southeast Asia
The ASEAN meeting coincides with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Manila.
Before departing Washington, Rubio said he was open to holding talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also attending the regional gathering.
In an opinion piece published ahead of the visit, Rubio reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation in Southeast Asia, warning against any attempt to use trade routes as geopolitical leverage.
He said control of key maritime corridors by any single power would pose serious risks to the sovereignty, security and economic future of ASEAN countries and the United States.
Energy Security Back in Focus
The conflict in the Middle East has also revived concerns over global energy supplies, particularly as tensions threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes.
For import-dependent economies such as the Philippines, rising geopolitical risks have reinforced the need to diversify energy sources. Manila declared a national energy emergency earlier this year and has expanded its crude oil imports, including purchases from Russia.
Regional energy cooperation is expected to be a major topic during the summit, with ASEAN members pushing forward discussions on the bloc’s Framework Agreement on Petroleum Security to strengthen fuel-sharing arrangements during supply disruptions.
Myanmar Remains a Divisive Issue
Myanmar’s political crisis continues to test ASEAN unity more than four years after the military seized power in a coup.
The country has largely been excluded from high-level ASEAN meetings since 2021, although some member states, led by Thailand, have advocated greater engagement with the military-led government.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow recently argued that Myanmar should be “brought back into the fold,” saying dialogue remains the best way forward after years of limited progress.
However, several ASEAN members continue to oppose full reintegration, insisting that meaningful progress must first be made on the bloc’s five-point peace consensus aimed at ending the country’s civil conflict.
As regional leaders gather in Manila, the overlapping crises in the Middle East, the South China Sea and Myanmar are expected to dominate discussions, underscoring the increasingly complex security challenges confronting Southeast Asia.
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