Manila, April 23 -- The 48th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings this coming May would focus on advancing energy security, stable food supply and protection of Southeast Asians abroad amid the Middle East crisis, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said on Thursday.

Lazaro said the Philippines is ready to convene the high-level meeting, which will gather leaders and ranking officials from ASEAN member states in Cebu on May 8.

"Our focus will be on the most pressing imperatives of our time-fortifying energy security, stabilizing food supplies and, above all, guaranteeing the absolute safety and welfare of ASEAN nationals, no matter where they are in the world," she said in a forum organized...