Thread: Asian Leaders in Myanmar for ASEAN Summit

Khaosod English
November 12, 2014
By Cod Satrusayang

NAYPYIDAW (DPA) - Leaders gathered in Myanmar's capital Wednesday for the Association of South-East Asian Nations summit, with the focus expected to be on economic ties and regional territorial disputes.

Myanmar President U Thein Sein opened the summit with a call for greater integration for the 10-nation bloc, while also praising members for realizing plans for the ASEAN Economic Community.

A meeting backed the Naypyidaw Declaration made earlier this year which pledged to "intensify our efforts in realizing the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015." The reaffirmed declaration also outlined plans for a more integrated community after 2015 as well as the promotion of peace and democracy within the region.

ASEAN leaders also recognized the seriousness of the situation in the South China Sea and vowed to find a peaceful solution to the territorial disputes.

The meeting closed proceedings by adopting measures to strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat and issued a joint statement promising to combat climate change.

In his opening remarks, Thein Sein also welcomed two new leaders among the group: recently elected Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who took power in bloodless coup in May. "I am fully confident that your leadership will not only bring greater peace, stability and prosperity to your peoples but also contribute to further enhance ASEAN integration," he said.

Thein Sein also said ASEAN must do more "promoting and protecting social justice and the rights of women, children and the elderly in our societies."

In a bilateral meeting between Myanmar and Indonesia, Thein Sein and Joko pledged to increase the trade volume between the two nations from 498 million dollars to 1 billion dollars per year by 2016.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

US President Barack Obama is attending the summit, following his appearance at a meeting for Pacific Rim countries in Beijing, as is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang, and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The ASEAN meetings will also include leaders from South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Russia.

Asian Leaders in Myanmar for ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, left, is welcomed by Myanmar President Thein Sein, second left, while their wives hold hands before the opening ceremony yesterday of 25th Asean Summit in Nay Pyi Taw./Reuters

The Nation
November 13, 2014

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his address to the ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, expressed gratitude to leaders of the group for understanding Thailand's domestic political situation.

He also reaffirmed Bangkok's compliance with all its commitments to the community, offering to take leading roles in ASEAN tasks.

The premier's speech highlighted cooperation within the group to enhance regional connectivity, combating transnational crimes, regional economic integration and disaster management.

ASEAN should have a bright vision for its future after the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, he said, noting that Thailand supported a high-level task force to draft the Post-2015 Vision and other related documents.

The 10 leaders of the regional group yesterday endorsed the "central elements" as a basis to develop the Post-2015 Vision of the ASEAN Community, a step to create a master plan for regional integration and the role of the group over the next decade.

The ASEAN network should build up its strength from inside, Prayut said, for the well-being of its populace. A people-caring organisation should improve healthcare services, promote sustainable development, reduce poverty, promote equality and enhance food security for the benefit of all.

Agriculture was important for all countries in the ASEAN Community and the sector should be strengthened to uplift the lives of farmers as well as to sustain food security, Prayut said.

As ASEAN opened up for regional economic integration, all members should give importance to the development of border areas, he said, with proper border management plans.

ASEAN is currently facing a new landscape of geo-politics in the region, attracting attention from the world's rival powerhouses. The group has to prepare for a changing situation in order to maintain its relevance, as well as ASEAN's centrality in regional security architecture, he said.

Also, the community has to take a prominent role in the international community, to tackle important global issues outside the Southeast Asia region - such as the crisis in the Middle East, he said.

ASEAN should keep a close eye on the outbreak of the deadly virus Ebola. Thailand suggested that health ministers under the cooperative framework of ASEAN+3 should come together to work out how to tackle the problem. Thailand could host a meeting on the matter in December, Prayut proposed.

On the South China Sea, Thailand has been playing the role of coordinator between ASEAN and China to develop a code of conduct in the troubled area where Beijing has been in territorial conflict with some members of ASEAN.

A working group has adopted the first list of "commonality" for elements to be addressed in the code of conduct, proposed during a meeting in Bangkok last month.

Prayut was in Myanmar yesterday and today attends the ASEAN Summit. While in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday he held a bilateral meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss issues of cooperation, including a tri-nation road project linking India-Myanmar-Thailand.

Look beyond 2015, PM urges Asean - The Nation

Bangkok Post
November 13, 2014
Writer: Online Reporters

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon expressed concern over continuing martial law in a meeting with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and urged a prompt return to “to civilian rule and constitutional order” in Thailand.

In a meeting at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in the Myanmar capital of Nay Pyi Taw Wednesday night, Gen Prayut explained his reasons for seizing power in May's military coup, saying it was done to ensure public safety because internal conflicts had led to the use of military-grade weapons and violence had been growing, government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp said.

The UN said in a statement that Mr Ban "acknowledged the prime minister's point that Thailand had returned to stability," but "expressed his concern at the continuation of martial law. He encouraged the prime minister to ensure a prompt return to civilian rule and constitutional order in Thailand."

Mr Yongyuth quoted Gen Prayuth as telling the UN chief that his government intended to restore order, peace and public safety in the country and was using normal administrative regulations and reforming the country and its democracy. Gen Prayut assured Mr Ban that Thailand has continuously adhered to its international obligations, Mr Yongyuth added.

On other topics, the secretary-general and Gen Prayut also discussed climate change and Thailand's contribution to UN peacekeeping. Mr Ban also acknowledged Thailand's donations to efforts to eradicate Ebola and the country to participate by sending health workers to join the fight against the virus.

Ban presses Prayut on martial law | Bangkok Post: news

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

Mr Yongyuth quoted Gen Prayuth as telling the UN chief that his government intended to restore order, peace and public safety in the country and was using normal administrative regulations and reforming the country and its democracy. Gen Prayut assured Mr Ban that Thailand has continuously adhered to its international obligations, Mr Yongyuth added.

Yep, just normal stuff for Thailand, like coups, detentions, stifling of free speech, etc.

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

Mr Yongyuth quoted Gen Prayuth as telling the UN chief that his government intended to restore order, peace and public safety in the country and was using normal administrative regulations and reforming the country and its democracy. Gen Prayut assured Mr Ban that Thailand has continuously adhered to its international obligations, Mr Yongyuth added.

Yep, just normal stuff for Thailand, like coups, detentions, stifling of free speech, etc.

Which has been steadfast through military regimes as well as the civilian democratic models.

There has never been much difference between the two for 60 + years.


Don't look behind the curtain....

Bangkok Post / Reuters
November 13, 2014

NAY PYI TAW — China's Prime Minister Li Keqiang proposed a friendship treaty with Southeast Asian countries on Thursday but reiterated that territorial disputes in the South China Sea should be settled directly between countries involved.

China, Taiwan and four members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have competing claims in the sea where concern is growing of an escalation in disputes even as the claimants work to establish agreements to resolve them.

"China ... stands ready to become the first dialogue partner to sign with ASEAN a treaty of friendship and cooperation," Mr Li told leaders at an East Asian summit in Myanmar.

The treaty is seen as an attempt by China to dispel any notion it is a threat.

Mr Li said China was willing to sign legal documents with more countries on good-neighbourliness and friendship.

Still, he reiterated China's resolve to safeguard its sovereignty and its position that disputes over the South China Sea should be settled bilaterally rather than collectively or through arbitration.

The Philippines, one of the ASEAN claimants, has irked China by seeking international arbitration over China's claims to about 90% of the South China Sea.

Diplomatic sources from the Philippines reacted coolly to China's treaty proposal, saying it lacked substance and was similar to a 2012 proposal made by Manila and ignored by Beijing.

ASEAN leaders hoped to persuade their giant neighbour to take a less bellicose approach to the overlapping claims when they met the Chinese leader behind closed doors on Thursday.

But despite the backroom talk, ASEAN as a group has been reluctant to antagonize China. Its Chairman's Statement on Thursday showed little change since foreign ministers met in August.

"We remain concerned over the situation in the South China Sea," the group said without mentioning China.

The Philippines and Vietnam have sought closer US ties to counter what they see as China's aggression.

In May, China sent an oil drilling rig to waters claimed by Vietnam, sparking deadly anti-Chinese riots in Vietnam.

US President Barack Obama, also in Nay Pyi Taw for the East Asian summit, held his first formal meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dong on Thursday.

"We very much share the belief that it is important for all countries in the region, large and small, to abide by rules based norms in resolving disputes," Mr Obama said.

On Oct 2, the United States decided to start easing a nearly four-decade lethal arms embargo on Vietnam.

China offers Asean friendship as South China Sea tension bubbles | Bangkok Post: news

The old handshake of friendship with the knife in the other hand behind the back trick.

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

Gen Prayut explained his reasons for seizing power in May's military coup, saying it was done to ensure public safety because internal conflicts had led to the use of military-grade weapons and violence had been growing

This is a fact. Sadly, he doesn't seem to know what he's doing.

Thailand needs a common sense injection.

Never happen though - as there's a method to the madness.