ASEAN Foreign Ministers at the opening of AMM-50.

The joint communiqué reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with dialogue partners and maintaining its central role and unity in shaping the regional structure based on ASEAN-led mechanisms including ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3 and the ASEAN Regional Forum. It said ASEAN took note of the concerns expressed by some Ministers on the land reclamations and activities in the East Sea, which have eroded trust and confidence, increased tensions and may undermine peace, security and stability in the region. ASEAN reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and over-flight above the East Sea. Countries further reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities and avoid actions that may further complicate the situation, and pursue peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The joint communiqué also touched upon terrorist and extremist threats and developments on the Korean peninsula and in the Middle East.