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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider As DFA chief, Lazaro goes on first trip abroad for ASEAN meet in Kuala Lumpur

As DFA chief, Lazaro goes on first trip abroad for ASEAN meet in Kuala Lumpur

Published Jul 8, 2025 01:36 pm
Newly installed Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro made her first official trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to attend the 58th ASEAN Ministerial Meetings and Related Meetings, the DFA said.

(From left) DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro meets ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Photo from Sec. Lazaro via X post)
(From left) DFA Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro meets ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Photo from Sec. Lazaro via X post)
The secretary will lead the Philippine delegation in the ASEAN meeting from July 8 to 11, where she is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lazaro said that she met with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn in Kuala Lumpur in the sidelines of the meetings to discuss Philippines’ preparations for its 2026 ASEAN chairship.

“We count on the @ASEAN Secretariat's support as we prepare for our upcoming Chairship to advance a people-oriented, people centered and rules-based @ASEAN,” she added.

“I had a productive discussion with FM Hasan to follow-up on outcomes of last year’s PH-MY Joint Commission meeting. We reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening bilateral relations particularly on maritime cooperation,” the DFA chief furthered.

In her meeting with Laos Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Lazaro said that they “explored ways to further deepen PH-Laos relations” and that she is looking forward to welcoming the foreign minister in Manila next month for the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation.

The Philippines and Laos are celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year.

On July 7, the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) convened in Kuala Lumpur to deliberate on key chairmanship priorities under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability” to prepare for the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Relating Meetings.

The meeting was attended by ASEAN senior official leaders and the ASEAN deputy secretary-general for political-security community.

Related Tags

Malaysia Tess Lazaro DFA secretary ASEAN
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