Asean Economic Community on spotlight at Asean Summit

Asean Economic Community on spotlight at Asean Summit

Published on Wednesday, 24 April 2013 11:46

Asean leaders are expected to highlight the 2015 Asean Economic Community when they meet in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan today and tomorrow, officials said.

Senior officials told the press that the Summit would not have any other important agenda when they met yesterday at the International Convention Centre in Bandar Seri Begawan to prepare for the Summit

"Today's meeting is just a preliminary meeting for the Summit which will be held tomorrow. There wasn't much [to discuss] at the preliminary meeting. [They] said it was just a normal meeting," Aung Linn, director general of the Asean Affairs department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told Eleven Media Group yesterday.

Another senior official from the foreign economic relations department under the Ministry Of National Planning and Economic Development also said that officials only prepare for the four topics that will be discussed during the Retreat session.

During the Retreat session on April 25, the Asean leaders will discuss the Asean Community 2015, Asean's central role and the regional architecture, Aseans future direction, and an exchange of views on regional and international issues.

"As we approach the establishment of the Asean Community in 2015, all Asean Member States are aware of the need to deliver the objectives which we set for ourselves. Our ability to meet the objectives will have far-reaching effect for Asean beyond 2015," Asean Secretary- General Le Luong Minh was quoted as saying in the news release from Asean Secretarist.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino is expected to raise the South China Sea issue between China and Asean countries, but it will not be discussed at length during the Summit, according to officials.

The Asean Summit will start with a working dinner today and continue with the Retreat session tomorrow.

Leaders from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand will participate in the 9th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit and the 7th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) after the Retreat session.

President Thein Sein will arrive in Brunei at 5:15 pm today and depart for Myanmar at 4 pm tomorrow.

The Asean Summit will be attended by all the Asean leaders except Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/04/24/asean-economic-community-on-spotlight-at-asean-summit/