Asean hopes for better Myanmar-US ties

Asean hopes for better Myanmar-US ties

Published on Wednesday, 21 November 2012 21:25

Asean leaders who participated in the 4th Asean-US meeting in Phnom Penh on November 19
(Photo - Nay Tun Naing/EMG)

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in a joint statement expressed hope that the United States and Myanmar would continue to deepen their relations.

The statement, issued at the Asean-US meeting in Phnom Penh on November 19, said the US welcomes positive steps being taken in Myanmar that could facilitate national reconciliation, and further progress towards a democratic and open political and economic system.

Myanmar is also the country coordinator for Asean-US relations until July 2015.

In the Asean-US meeting, the US vowed to strengthen regional cooperation with the US-Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), focusing on connectivity and energy, health, agriculture, food, environment, water and education security.

Myanmar was welcomed as the sixth nation to join the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI), after participating in the 5th Mekong Region Ministerial Meeting held in Phnon Penh in July.

The US announced US$50 million in aid for LMI programmes under the Asia-Pacific Strategic Engagement Initiative and $1 million for a Mekong River Commission Study on the sustainable management and development of the Mekong River.

Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2012/11/21/asean-hopes-for-better-myanmar-us-ties/