SEOUL, 07 July 2022 - Philippine ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) Leader and Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and ASEAN Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro attended the 26th ASEAN-Republic of Korea Dialogue held in Seoul from 30 June to 2 July 2022. At the Dialogue, Senior Officials of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea renewed their commitment to broaden mutually beneficial cooperation for the success of the ASEAN-ROK strategic partnership.

PH SOM Leader Lazaro underscored the importance of regional and maritime cooperation and progress in the implementation of its action lines under the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action 2021-2025. She welcomed working with the ROK and fellow AMS in enhancing maritime cooperation between both sides through various ASEAN-led mechanisms.

SOM Leaders likewise shared views on issues of common interest and concern, with a view to promote peace, stability and development in the region. Senior Officials of ASEAN also welcomed the commitment of the new Government of the ROK to forge closer cooperation with ASEAN.

The 26th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue was co-chaired by Director-General, Acting SOM Leader of Viet Nam, Vu Ho, and ROK Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Yeo Seung-bae.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega also joined the SOM meeting as a member of the Philippine delegation. END