(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (KUNA) - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday reaffirmed his country's firm support for the causes of Gaza and Myanmar, describing them as top humanitarian and political priorities on the agenda of the 20th East Asia Summit, held in Kuala Lumpur.
The summit, held on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit, gathered regional and international leaders, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk.
In his opening address, Anwar welcomed the recent comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, calling it "a crucial step to stop the brutality, genocide, and madness," while stressing the need to ensure effective monitoring to achieve a just, comprehensive, and lasting political solution for Palestine.
On Myanmar, the Prime Minister affirmed ASEAN's continued commitment to the "Five-Point Consensus," adding that Malaysia remains engaged with all parties to promote peace and deliver humanitarian aid.
He said that such support is conditional on an immediate end to military operations and guaranteed access to assistance for all communities without discrimination, noting that Malaysia has hosted representatives from 27 opposition and ethnic groups in Kuala Lumpur to encourage dialogue.
Regarding the South China Sea, Anwar stressed that disputes must be resolved within ASEAN and with regional partners "without external imposition," reaffirming adherence to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Anwar expressed concern over the recent rise in North Korea's ballistic missile launches, emphasizing that dialogue remains the best approach to addressing tensions with Pyongyang, noting that just as the international community calls for dialogue in conflicts from Gaza to Ukraine to Myanmar, efforts to engage with North Korea should not be excluded.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong urged members to translate discussions into tangible outcomes through the "ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific," which provides a framework for practical cooperation in maritime affairs, connectivity, sustainable development, and economic collaboration.
He underscored the need to find common ground despite differing views to prevent stagnation and enable cooperation in disaster management and combating cyber fraud.
The 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings are being held from October 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur under the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability", with Malaysia chairing ASEAN for 2025.
The East Asia Summit is a high-level platform bringing together the 11 ASEAN leaders along with China, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, focusing on political, security, and economic cooperation to promote peace, stability, and development across the region. (end)
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