ID :
157624
Mon, 01/17/2011 - 16:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/157624
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ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat in Indonesia concluded
LOMBOK, INDONESIA, Jan 17 (TNA) - Foreign ministers from 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday (Jan 17) concluded their retreat in the resort island of Lombok, Indonesia, highlighting their appeal for an end to international sanctions against Myanmar.
The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat from Saturday to Monday was the very first event under Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year, providing a venue for discussion among the 10 members in a less formal environment.
After the ministers wrapped up the AMM Retreat on Monday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters in a press conference, reiterating ASEAN's appeal for early lifting of sanctions imposed by some countries.
Recent political developments in Myanmar, who held the first election in more than two decades in November, that included the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after years of house arrest, should be welcome by not only ASEAN but the global community, Natalegawa said during the gathering.
"We have the same view on the immediate or early removal or easing of sanctions imposed by some countries against Myanmar," Natalegawa earlier said during the meeting.
The international community should respond positively to the recent developments in Myanmar to ensure that economic development will not be hindered in Southeast Asian Nation, he added.
The US and other nations have imposed political and economic sanctions on Myanmar for its poor human rights record and slow move toward democracy.
Natalegawa said ASEAN will also push for reconciliation between Myanmar's military-controlled government and all parties concerned.
On Monday, the foreign ministers discussed in great extent on ASEAN's role in the global context to promote its stature in the world arena, by which ASEAN needs to define its world view and principles in the years to come. More discussions will be held including a special session of foreign ministers to further identify the tasks.
ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with Myanmar's accession to ASEAN in the latest grouping's expansion in the 1990's; despite strong opposition from Western nations.
A Thai diplomat said most of ASEAN nations have now embraced Timor-Leste's willingness to join ASEAN. The foreign ministers discussed in Lombok the prospective membership of the world's youngest democracy with keen interests, with reservation by some countries that Timor-Leste's, that has held observer status in ASEAN, should not hinder the progress of ASEAN's integration. (TNA)
The ASEAN Ministerial Meeting Retreat from Saturday to Monday was the very first event under Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year, providing a venue for discussion among the 10 members in a less formal environment.
After the ministers wrapped up the AMM Retreat on Monday, Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told reporters in a press conference, reiterating ASEAN's appeal for early lifting of sanctions imposed by some countries.
Recent political developments in Myanmar, who held the first election in more than two decades in November, that included the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi after years of house arrest, should be welcome by not only ASEAN but the global community, Natalegawa said during the gathering.
"We have the same view on the immediate or early removal or easing of sanctions imposed by some countries against Myanmar," Natalegawa earlier said during the meeting.
The international community should respond positively to the recent developments in Myanmar to ensure that economic development will not be hindered in Southeast Asian Nation, he added.
The US and other nations have imposed political and economic sanctions on Myanmar for its poor human rights record and slow move toward democracy.
Natalegawa said ASEAN will also push for reconciliation between Myanmar's military-controlled government and all parties concerned.
On Monday, the foreign ministers discussed in great extent on ASEAN's role in the global context to promote its stature in the world arena, by which ASEAN needs to define its world view and principles in the years to come. More discussions will be held including a special session of foreign ministers to further identify the tasks.
ASEAN consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, with Myanmar's accession to ASEAN in the latest grouping's expansion in the 1990's; despite strong opposition from Western nations.
A Thai diplomat said most of ASEAN nations have now embraced Timor-Leste's willingness to join ASEAN. The foreign ministers discussed in Lombok the prospective membership of the world's youngest democracy with keen interests, with reservation by some countries that Timor-Leste's, that has held observer status in ASEAN, should not hinder the progress of ASEAN's integration. (TNA)
