Malaysia looks to play bigger ASEAN role as next chair

Malaysia, who will become the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2015, is looking to increase engagement in the bloc and foster solidarity and development, an official statement said on Sunday.

Regular meetings between ASEAN foreign ministers go a long way in strengthening regional solidarity and deepening trust between all sides, said the statement released by the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman is in the Myanmar capital attending the 24th ASEAN summit.

"Three meetings held in Nay Pyi Taw provided a good opportunity for ASEAN foreign ministers to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern," the statement added.

At the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Saturday, Anifah expressed the view that ASEAN needs to take a balanced and careful approach in engaging its external partners.

"In this connection, Anifah stated that Malaysia supports the revised guidelines on ASEAN's external relations which will be noted by the leaders at the ongoing ASEAN summit."

"Among others, it would allow ASEAN to pursue its engagement with interested countries on specific areas of cooperation on a gradual approach," the statement said.

Anifah reiterated that as ASEAN adopted the Bali Concord II in 2012, ASEAN should be more resolved to aspire towards finding a common position on issues. "Not just those that affect the ASEAN region and which are of immediate concern, but also issues afflicting more remote areas of the world," the statement said.