The Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, ASEAN, today emphasised the importance of an immediate cessation of hostilities in West Asia. They called upon all parties concerned to exercise utmost self-restraint and resolve differences through diplomacy and dialogue in the interest of maintaining peace and stability in the wider region. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ unified call came following a special virtual meeting today, which was convened to exchange views on the evolving situation in the Middle East and to address its implications for ASEAN. The meeting, convened by the current ASEAN Chair, the Philippines, called on all countries to respect international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.