Asean Meets in Naypyidaw for Economy Summit

Asean economic ministers and Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan pose for a photo at the 18th informal meeting. (Photo: MNA)

Economy ministers from member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) were greeted by Burma's President Thein Sein as they met for talks in Naypyidaw on Sunday as the regional bloc focuses on becoming an economic community by 2015.

The Asean leaders talked about its challenges and weaknesses, and exchanged views on which tasks could be completed by 2012, according to Burmese state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar on Monday.

The economics officials held a preliminary meeting on Friday, followed by a summit on Sunday, the newspaper reported.

The 18th informal meeting was attended by Southeast Asian ministers, economists and delegations from Asean member states, as well as representatives from the embassies of Asean members in Burma and from the Asean Secretariat.

The Asean leaders discussed the timely completion of trade agreements, services, investment and various private sector initiatives, as well as methods of achieving greater cooperation among member states. They also debated promoting cooperation between Asean and its dialogue partners, and matters related to the implementation of the Asean framework for economic cooperation in the region.

Along with President Thein Sein and other top officials, Burma was represented by Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Ko Ko, and Minister for National Planning and Economic Development Tin Naing Thein.

The summit was headed by Asean's Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan who visited Burma last week when he met with President Thein Sein and Information Minister Kyaw Hsan, as well as pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. He said he was impressed by Burma’s current political reforms undertaken by the new government.

He said that all the current developments in Burma are part of the preparation for and the consolidation of Naypyidaw's role as chair of Asean in 2014. Burma will also host for SEA Games in 2013.

Surin said he was told by the Burmese president that Burma will “seriously consider” allowing election observers from Asean members to monitor the country's by-election on April 1.

Asean encompasses the countries of Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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