The co-chairs highlighted the strong and durable partnership with ASEAN over the past 48 years. They discussed pressing geopolitical issues, including the importance of facilitating a free and open Indo-Pacific. O’Neill further expressed the need to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.
The United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) held the 37th annual ASEAN-US Dialogue in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on April 22, to discuss ongoing cooperation under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Sean O’Neill co-chaired the dialogue with Cambodian Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Kung Phoak, according to the US Department of State.
The co-chairs highlighted the strong and durable partnership with ASEAN over the past 48 years. They discussed pressing geopolitical issues, including the importance of facilitating a free and open Indo-Pacific. O’Neill further expressed the need to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.
The US official stressed that the US remains the top source of foreign direct investment for the ASEAN region. He stressed President Donald Trump’s goal of establishing greater fairness and reciprocity in the bilateral trade relationship.
In addition to the US' support for an inclusive digital economy, he emphasised the importance of expanding cooperation on cybersecurity, developing emerging technologies, upholding freedom of navigation, and combating transnational crime, including online scam centres and synthetic drugs./.
VNA
