Burma backed to chair Asean in 2014
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Asean leaders yesterday backed Burma's bid to chair the group in 2014 and expressed hope that the country would continue its political reforms towards democracy and national reconciliation.
“I can confirm that the leaders of Asean have received the recommendation by Asean foreign ministers, have expressed the views and reached consensus that designates [Burma] as chair of Asean in 2014,” said Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa.
Indonesia currently holds Asean’s revolving chair.
The recent developments in Burma are conducive to carrying out the responsibility of chairing Asean, Natalegawa said.
He noted, however, that it “is inherent in this sentiment to closely monitor the developments in [Burma] because Asean wants to ensure that in 2014 [Burma] will be more than where they are now, towards more democratisation”.
“The decision has been made. It is now formal and now we all anticipate and will be looking at how the preparation for chairmanship will be taken by Burma,” he said.
These preparations go far beyond physical infrastructure, including what and how the country will be as it proceeds to the Asean chairmanship in 2014, Natalegawa said.
During the meeting, Asean leaders agreed there had been significant changes in the country and did not see a need for long discussions on Naypyidaw’s bid to chair the group, said a senior official who attended the summit yesterday.
Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan said regional leaders generally showed their satisfaction regarding the developments in Burma, particularly the positive political changes.
Burma forwent its turn to chair Asean in 2006 because of political difficulties in the country after the arrest of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and a series of violent incidents and accusations of human-rights violations.
