According to the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement issued after the 15th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the ministers underlined the forum’s role in promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia, in line with the ASEAN Charter and key regional declarations including the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP).
They reiterated that the EAS must remain open, inclusive and ASEAN-centred while upholding a rules-based regional architecture grounded in international law and the United Nations Charter.
The meeting also emphasised the importance of fostering strategic trust and ensuring responsible, transparent and predictable behaviour among nations, with full respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Amid shifting global dynamics, the ministers acknowledged the urgency of reinforcing the EAS’s relevance and effectiveness, particularly as the summit approaches its 20th anniversary. The ministers reaffirmed ASEAN’s central role as the region’s convenor for strategic dialogue and stressed the value of confidence-building measures and preventive diplomacy in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
They also called for deeper collaboration through ASEAN-led mechanisms and greater synergy across existing regional institutions to avoid duplication and promote coherence in addressing regional challenges.
The EAS also expressed concern over various regional and international developments, reiterating calls for peaceful solutions and adherence to international law.
On the East Sea/South China Sea, they reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight. Some ministers voiced concern over incidents that have eroded trust and could undermine regional stability. The ministers stressed the importance of non-militarisation, self-restraint and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
They also welcomed progress in the Code of Conduct (COC) negotiations.
The 15th EAS Foreign Ministers' Meeting took place on July 11, chaired by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, bringing together 18 EAS participating countries to review cooperation and exchange views on important regional and international developments.
