MYANMAR-ASEAN/OPENING CEREMONY ASEAN meeting starts in Myanmar capital, all eyes on South China Sea dispute

Record ID: 864007

  • Title: MYANMAR-ASEAN/OPENING CEREMONY ASEAN meeting starts in Myanmar capital, all eyes on South China Sea dispute
  • Date: 12th November 2014
  • Summary: ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** THEIN SEIN WALKING IN WITH BOLKIAH VARIOUS OF OPENING CEREMONY
  • Embargoed: 27th November 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Myanmar
  • City:
  • Country: Myanmar
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEJ3Z1JCW4X6UZ7IEROFUIW7KG
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) kicked off its 25th summit on Wednesday (November 12), Myanmar, where leaders of the group are hoping to find common ground on practices to ease tensions in a disputed sea with its Chinese counterpart.
    The 10-member regional group also plans to discuss matters leading towards and beyond the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). The AEC is an initiative to integrate economic integration and trade pact within the region that is set to take effect by the end of 2015.
    "ASEAN needs to sustain economic dynamism by intensifying integration and pursuing a sustainable development path which would guarantee inclusive development, reduce poverty and narrow the development gaps," ASEAN Chairman and Myanmar President, Thein Sein, said in his opening remarks.
    The Myanmar president also stressed the need for ASEAN to emphasize unity to address various issues.
    "We need to keep building up and strengthening our capacity to tackle transnational issues such as; climate change, disaster management, food, energy and water security, infectious diseases, preventing violence and extremism, cyber security, drug and human trafficking," he said.
    The annual meetings will also see talks between ASEAN and dialogue partners from East and Asian countries to discuss matters of regional and international interest.
    Leaders or senior representatives of the United States, Japan, China, South Korea, Russia, India, Australia and New Zealand are set to joint their counterparts from Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia who will chair the gatherings next year.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Audio restrictions: This clip's Audio includes copyrighted material. User is responsible for obtaining additional clearances before publishing the audio contained in this clip.
Register