US and ASEAN commit to raise relationship to 'comprehensive strategic partnership'

By Reuters May 13, 2022 | 06:56 pm PT

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit at the U.S. Department of State, in Washington, U.S., May 13, 2022. Photo by Reuters/Leah Millis

Leaders of the United States and the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) committed at a summit in Washington on Friday to raise their relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in November this year.

In a joint "vision statement" after a two-day summit, the leaders also said in reference to Ukraine that they reaffirm "respect for sovereignty, political independence, and territorial integrity."