Obama Emphasizes Economic Issues at Opening of US-ASEAN Summit

President Jokowi is greeted by President Obama at US-ASEAN Summit

Washington, 08 Jumadal Awwal 1437/ 17 February (MINA) – Strong, prosperous, and inclusive societies require good governance, rule of law, accountable institutions, vibrant civil societies and upholding human rights, President Barack Obama said on Monday in remarks at the opening of the US-the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit.

Few regions presented more opportunity to the 21st century than the Asia Pacific, Obama said at the opening session of the summit, which is being held in Rancho Mirage, California, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) quoted KUNA as reporting.

“Since I took office, we have boosted trade between the United States and ASEAN by 55 percent,” the President noted. “The region is now our fourth-largest goods trading partner, including US exports that support more than 500,000 American jobs.”

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In a comment clearly aimed at China, Obama said, “Here at this summit, we can advance our shared vision of a regional order where international rules and norms, including freedom of navigation, are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means.”

“Together, we can continue to do more around the world to meet transnational challenges that no one nation can meet alone,” he said.

“As we were reminded again by the attack in Jakarta last month, the scourge of terrorism demands that we stay vigilant, share more information and work cooperatively to protect our people.”

“Just as our nations worked together to achieve a strong climate change agreement in Paris, now we need to implement that agreement and step up investment in clean, affordable energy, including for developing countries,” he said.

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The 10 members of ASEAN are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The Sunnylands Summit is the first US-ASEAN standalone summit in the United States and the first summit for the ASEAN Community since its establishment on Dec 31, 2015. (R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)