Foreign ministers from Southeast Asia met virtually on Friday (March 13) to discuss the widening conflict in the Middle East and its impact. The Philippines, this year's Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) chair, hosted the meeting as officials weigh impacts and responses to surging oil prices as well as disruptions to shipping, logistics, and trade flows across the region's export-reliant economies. In a statement to the media the same evening, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said Dr Balakrishnan expressed support for the Philippines' efforts to forge a regional response. The ministry added that Singapore expressed its concern over the situation in the Middle East which has impacted the lives and safety of civilians, including many Asean nationals. "Minister Balakrishnan highlighted that a protracted conflict would have serious consequences for the world, including Asean.  Read more