UK Ambassador to ASEAN Moazzam Malik presented his credentials to ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh on January 16, conveying his Government’s commitment to further strengthen ties with the bloc and its members.

ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh

Secretary-General Minh welcomed the UK’s willingness to explore cooperation with ASEAN and encouraged the country to continue to support the grouping in its community building efforts.

During their meeting, Secretary-General Minh and Ambassador Malik exchanged views on key developments in the region and the world at large.

On January 15, India’s first resident Ambassador to ASEAN Suresh K. Reddy also presented his credentials to the Secretary-General at the ASEAN Secretariat headquarters in Jakarta.

Ambassador Reddy reiterated the importance his Government attaches to its relations with ASEAN and the member states as well as the desire to further strengthen the ASEAN-India strategic partnership.

The diplomat stressed that India will work closely with ASEAN to explore new opportunities for cooperation to fully utilise potentials of their dialogue relations. He also renewed India’s continued commitment to supporting ASEAN centrality in the evolving regional architecture.

In response, Secretary-General Minh welcomed India’s commitment and assured that the ASEAN Secretariat is ready to work closely with Ambassador Reddy in order to enhance the multi-faceted ASEAN-India cooperation.

Minh also called on India to expand its support to the bloc’s common endeavour in building a community in 2015 and beyond. He expressed his belief that the fast-growing ASEAN-India partnership will be further substantiated through effective facilitation and coordination.

(Source: VNA)