Myanmar president leaves for Brunei ASEAN summit

Myanmar President U Thein Sein left Nay Pyi Taw Tuesday to attend the 23rd summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Brunei, official sources said. At the summit, U Thein Sein, besides taking over the 2014 alternate chair to be handed over to Myanmar, will also address the summit. Myanmar is to take up the leadership role of ASEAN in 2014 in gaining the momentum of ASEAN achievements, in fulfilling the 2015 ASEAN Community targets and in laying down the ASEAN Vision beyond 2015. President U Thein Sein called on the ASEAN family member states to cooperate with each other hand in hand while trying to develop individually, saying that Myanmar is committed to try her best in contributing towards the ASEAN Community by taking advantage of the position as a land bridge between ASEAN and its dialogue partners. He vowed to assume the 2014 ASEAN Chairmanship by ensuring the centrality of ASEAN; by obtaining ASEAN consensus; and by representing ASEAN in strengthening and promoting closer relations with external partners. With the support of ASEAN member states and its dialogue partners, he pledged Myanmar's determination to undertake successfully the role of chairmanship for the first time since it joined the regional grouping in 1997. On the occasion of the 46th anniversary of ASEAN this year, U Thein Sein said the political, economic and social reforms in Myanmar have given Myanmar more opportunity in strengthening the integration with ASEAN member states in the community. The people-centered democracy in Myanmar, which is in line with the ASEAN Charter, has facilitated the economic development of the country and accordingly helped the increase of social status of the people, he said, adding that Myanmar's efforts to implement the ASEAN Community Blueprints have positive effects on the country's political, economic and social objectives. He stressed the vital importance of Myanmar people's willingness and participation to strive for a modern and developed nation and to achieve the goals of ASEAN Community. ASEAN adopted its Vision-2020 in 1997 and is striving for establishing the ASEAN Community in 2015. ASEAN is playing a leading role not only for regional integration but also for East Asia Summit, ASEAN+3 Summit, ASEAN Regional Forum and ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting.