Kuala lumpur: Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro has met and affirmed Manila's ties with Southeast Asian foreign ministers in her first official travel overseas as the country's top diplomat since assuming the position last week. Lazaro is in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to engage with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ahead of the Philippines' 2026 chairmanship and meet with her counterparts from various countries.

According to Philippines News Agency, Lazaro first met with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and discussed preparations for the Philippines' summit hosting next year. 'We count on the ASEAN Secretariat's support as we prepare for our upcoming chairship to advance a people-oriented, people-centered, and rules-based ASEAN,' she said in a post on X on Tuesday. Kao congratulated Lazaro on her recent appointment as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and exchanged views on issues of importance to ASEAN, discussing ways to advance ASEAN Community-building efforts. The two officials also touched on the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its Strategic Plans.

Lazaro also met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Cambodia Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa. With Malaysia, Lazaro underscored the Philippines' commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, particularly on maritime cooperation. She and the Cambodian foreign minister discussed the upcoming state visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to Cambodia and focused on key areas of cooperation such as trade, tourism, and law enforcement.

Besides the Southeast Asian ministers, she also met with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf and talked about further enhancing Philippine-Algerian ties as the two states mark 50 years of relations. During the meeting, she welcomed Algiers' joining the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, saying this affirms its 'commitment to regional peace and cooperation.'

Lazaro formally assumed position on July 1, succeeding Enrique Manalo, who is set to take the helm at the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.