Obama says US enjoys deep historical ties with SE Asia
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 15 November 2009 1947 hrs

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SINGAPORE: US President Barack Obama has said the United States is a Pacific nation and it enjoys deep historical ties with Southeast Asia.

He was speaking at a news conference in Singapore after the first-ever summit between US and all 10 ASEAN leaders including Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein on Sunday.

Mr Obama added that Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world and that the US is committed to strengthening its engagement with the region.

He said he looks forward to a second US-ASEAN Leaders' Meeting next year.

President Obama said: "During our meeting, we talked about how the United States and ASEAN worked together as partners within this region and throughout the world.

"We discussed the importance of the challenge of climate change and working together to support the G20 efforts to promote a sustained and balanced global economic recovery.

"We reaffirmed the policies I put forward in Tokyo yesterday with regards Burma (former name of Myanmar). We also recognised the need to expand high level engagement on these and other major issues."

Current ASEAN Chair and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said: "ASEAN also stands ready to be a reliable partner of the US in tackling the various global and regional challenges, whether it is climate change, the Doha Round or counter terrorism and security issues.

"This has been a historic meeting and we are happy with the progress this enhanced partnership has achieved and we look forward to similar meetings next year."


- CNA/ir