KL urges U.S. to open normal trade ties with all of ASEAN
KL urges U.S. to open normal trade ties with all of ASEAN
KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Malaysia on Wednesday urged the U.S. to open normal trade ties with all 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to help boost the region's economic development.
ASEAN countries were eager for enhanced economic relations with the U.S., which is one of the region's biggest trading and investment partners, said Abdul Kadir Mohamed, the secretary- general of Malaysia's Foreign Ministry.
However, he pointed out that despite long-standing ties between ASEAN and the U.S., which meets annually for talks, Washington continued to maintain differing levels of trade ties with ASEAN members.
"Malaysia wishes to highlight once again the absence of development cooperation programs in the U.S.-ASEAN dialogue relations, and the fact that the U.S. still does not have normal trade relations with some ASEAN countries," he said.
"ASEAN would like to reiterate its call on the U.S. to review its policy in this regard," he was quoted as saying by state-run Bernama national news agency.
Abdul Kadir was speaking at the opening of a two-day meeting between government and business officials from ASEAN and the U.S. in the Malaysian capital.
About 100 participants are attending the meeting, which focuses mainly on trade and economic relations. Abdul Kadir is heading the talks on behalf of ASEAN, while the U.S. is represented by Ralph Boyce, the deputy assistant secretary of state for East Asia and Pacific affairs.
ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Although Abdul Kadir did not name any country, ASEAN officials said he was referring to military-ruled Myanmar, whose membership in ASEAN in 1997 was frowned upon by Washington.
The U.S., which accuses Myanmar of human rights violations and suppressing democracy, has slapped economic sanctions and an arms embargo against Yangon (Rangoon) as well as barred new investments there by American firms.
ASEAN's steadfast defense of Myanmar's membership has also caused problems with its relations with the European Union, which has barred Myanmar officials from attending meetings in Europe and has also imposed sanctions on Yangon until its adopts democratic reforms.