ASEAN Leaders To Ratify Langkawi Declaration On GMM This Weekend

KUALA LUMPUR, April 20 (Bernama) -- Leaders of ASEAN member countries are expected to ratify the Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates (GMM) in conjunction with the 26th edition of ASEAN Summit this weekend. Malaysian Deputy Foreign Minister Hamzah Zainudin said it was in line with Malaysia's stand to promote moderation as one of the priorities in facing conflicts and finding solutions to regional peace and security issues. "This has been made one of the priorities for Malaysia as the chair of ASEAN for 2015. Malaysia is also lucky as all eyes will be on Kuala Lumpur during the official establishment of the ASEAN Community by end of this year. "The establishment of the ASEAN Community is a symbol of stronger solidarity, stability and prosperity in the region," he said when winding up debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address at the Dewan Negara (Malaysian Senate Hall) sitting here Monday. On the rising threats of radicalism and extremism, Hamzah said ASEAN foreign ministers, during their retreat last January, had issued a joint statement condemning the violence and brutality committed by the IS militants. Besides, an ASEAN Special Ministerial Meeting on radicalism and extremism is scheduled to be held in October, he added. --BERNAMA