MFA Press Statement: ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Lombok, Indonesia, 15 to 17 January 2011

Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat and the ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting in Lombok, Indonesia from 15 to 17 January 2011. The Ministers discussed a broad range of issues including ASEAN's role in the East Asia Summit (EAS) in view of the US and Russia's participation in the EAS this year. They also discussed the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity and the ASEAN Declaration on Cooperation in Search and Rescue of Persons and Vessels in Distress at Sea. They approved the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordination Committee which would oversee implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.

To bring ASEAN closer to the people, the Ministers endorsed the flying of the ASEAN flag in the overseas diplomatic missions of ASEAN Member States. Ministers also discussed the possibility of a joint ASEAN bid to host the FIFA World Cup, and enhancing ASEAN university and student exchanges by establishing a programme modelled on the European Union's ERASMUS programme. The Ministers also looked forward to their Road Trip from Chiang Rai to Kunming via Laos and the ASEAN-China Foreign Ministers' Meeting from 23 to 25 January 2011 to mark the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-China dialogue relations.

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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
17 JANUARY 2011