PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will come up with a common position as they meet at the 20th Asean Summit to ask the international community to lift all the sanctions imposed on Myanmar following a historic parliamentary by-vote in the Asian country.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the chairman of the 20th Asean Summit, said during the Plenary Session that many Asean leaders agreed to come up with a group position regarding sanctions imposed on Myanmar.
The Asean leaders will come up with a common stand on the issue when they wrap up the summit on Wednesday.
Delivering his message during the Plenary Session at the Peace Palace on Tuesday, President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulated the leadership of Myanmar for its historic by-election last Sunday.
“May we first comment on the by-elections of Myanmar, we would like to congratulate President Thein Sein on the very welcome development in his country under his very able leadership. The opening up of their political system enhances their long-term stability, which in turn enhances regional stability,” President Aquino said.
Asean leaders meeting in Cambodia for a two-day summit welcomed Myanmar’s orderly elections that appeared to give opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi her first seat in parliament.
To show its willingness to reintegrate to the global community, Myanmar’s leaders freed hundreds of political prisoners, welcomed the opposition back to the political fold and eased media restrictions. As a reward, Asean members promised Myanmar in November to become the bloc’s chairman in 2014.
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Myanmar compose the Asean. (PNA)
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