Ukraine's bid for ASEAN dialogue partner to be tackled in foreign ministers meeting

MANDAUE CITY - Ukraine's application as a dialogue partner of the ASEAN will be tackled during the Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat), according to spokesman Dominic Xavier Imperial.

Imperial, in a press briefing, said the matter would be tackled by ASEAN member states (AMS). 

''Well, Ukraine is applying for a sectoral dialogue partnership. So, it’s under consideration by AMS. It’s still ongoing, so there is really no decision yet on that but it’s still an ongoing process,'' Imperial said. 

''On partnerships, that will be touched on. But again, it will depend on how detailed the discussions will be,'' he added. 

Imperial said the matter would be discussed more by senior officials and ''then whatever the SOM (Senior Officials' Meeting) leaders decide or have agreed, they will elevate this to the foreign ministers for decision.'' 

In November of last year, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed cooperation in food security, agriculture, and digitalization. 

The two leaders also talked about ways to strengthen ASEAN-Ukraine engagement “for the benefit of our peoples.” —KG, GMA Integrated News