September 10, 2024

Duckworth Reintroduces Legislation to Strengthen U.S.-ASEAN Relations, Bolster Regional Security

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee—today reintroduced legislation to strengthen relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Senator’s Providing Appropriate Recognition and Treatment Needed to Enhance Relations (PARTNER) with ASEAN Act would authorize ASEAN’s formal designation as an international organization with diplomatic privileges and immunities, affording ASEAN secretariat personnel the same treatment in the United States as diplomats associated with other multilateral missions, paving the way for the creation of a permanent ASEAN U.S. mission.

“The United States’ longstanding partnership with ASEAN has resulted in diplomatic, economic, cultural and other benefits for our country and all those involved,” said Senator Duckworth. “This legislation would reaffirm and strengthen our relationship and provide ASEAN personnel with the diplomatic immunities they deserve as we work together to bolster regional security in the Indo-Pacific.”

Copy of the bill text is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

This legislation is an identical companion bill to H.R. 406, legislation being led by U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Young Kim (R-CA-40).

As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth has been a leader in strengthening relationships with Southeast Asian countries. In July, Duckworth led an official Senate visit to Laos and Vietnam to reinforce America’s commitment to our partners in ASEAN and strengthen U.S.-ASEAN economic ties. In May, Duckworth led a bipartisan delegation to Singapore to participate in this year’s International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue, where she and other Senators reaffirmed our nation’s strong bipartisan commitment to our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific. Last year, Duckworth met with ASEAN leaders on an official Senate visit to Indonesia to reinforce U.S. partnership throughout the region and find opportunities to increase cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as countering climate change, increasing energy security and ensuring regional stability and freedom of navigation.

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