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Philippines identifies three ASEAN priorities amid Middle East crisis effects

At the foreign ministers’ meeting ahead of the Manila summit, Philippine Foreign Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro identified energy security, food security and protection of ASEAN citizens as priorities for addressing the effects of the Middle East crisis. Asharq News reported that the issues had been discussed since ASEAN’s first summit of the year in Cebu and that about 2.5 million Filipinos live in GCC countries. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry condemned Iran’s targeting of the Saudi tanker Sidr while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as well as other Iranian attacks cited in its statement. The ministry stressed maritime safety and global energy-supply security and called for de-escalation, respect for international law, negotiations and peaceful solutions. In an Oct. 26 statement, it described Saudi efforts to reduce escalation and encourage dialogue and diplomatic solutions. Saudi Press Agency also relayed CENTCOM’s Oct. 8 statement that maritime traffic was then continuing through the Strait of Hormuz.

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