THE 46th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting concluded at the International Convention Centre in Berakas on a high note following a half day of discussions, deliberations, negotiations and plans that aimed to see the 10-member Asean community prosper through solidifying friendships across governments, societies and, most importantly, people.

A joint communiqué was issued successfully after last year’s gathering in Cambodia could not reach a consensus and had therefore failed to produce a joint communiqué – a first in Asean’s 45-year history.

“What I hope we can do over the next three days is look at how we can build on all this progress, stick to the idea of Asean centrality, successfully manage our growing relations with the outside world, find a common approach to everything that affects the region, and look forward to a successful ‘life after 2015’,” HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah in his capacity as meeting’s chairman said as he addressed counterparts from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. - Borneo Bulletin (1 July 2013)