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ASEAN to issue statement on Israel-Hamas war — DFA

Philippines | National

ASEAN to issue statement on Israel-Hamas war — DFA

By Joseph Pedrajas

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will break its silence on the current developments in the Middle East as it set to issue a statement on its stand on the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas militants.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and Bilateral Affairs Ma. Theresa Lazaro said Wednesday, Oct. 18, that the 10-member regional bloc will release a statement possibly within the day, or on Thursday.

This came after Indonesia initiated the move for the group to issue a statement based on its capacity as the current chair of ASEAN.

Lazaro did not provide much details about the statement, but said the bloc would issue a condemnation on issues "only limited to terrorism and violence."

Meanwhile, she said, the Philippine government was also concerned about the developments in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

"This is a concern not only of us, by the Philippines, but even whole of ASEAN," she said.

Leaders from ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council are also expected to raise their concerns on the developments in the Middle East once they discuss regional and international issues during the ASEAN-GCC Summit on Oct. 20.

Related Tags

Israel Association of Southeast Asian Nations HAMAS

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