ASEAN Calls for Lifting Of Sanctions against Myanmar

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomes ASEAN heads of state as he opens the 20th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh April 3, 2012. Myanmar’s just-concluded elections, N.Korea’s planned rocket launch and the long-broiling disputes over the South China Sea are expected to top the agenda in the two-day summit, hosted by Cambodia as the head of ASEAN, taking over the chair from Indonesia. The summit's main agenda is its goal of becoming a EU-like bloc by 2015. Asean Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan said the group is ''on track" to meet the deadline. The summit will also discuss topics on the Declaration of Phnom Penh "Asean: One Community, One Goal" that include efforts to realise a Drug Free Asean 2015 and the Global Moderation Movement. Photo courtesy kanharith khieu---NNN

JAKARTA (NNN-BERNAMA) -- In welcoming Myanmar's fair and orderly by-elections on April 1, Asean has called for the lifting of sanctions against the country.

The call was made by Asean Chair, Cambodia, according to a statement by the Asean Secretariat on Tuesday.

"We urge the international community to consider lifting economic sanctions on Myanmar so that the people of Myanmar can enjoy better opportunities in realising their aspirations for peace, national reconciliation, democracy and national development," said Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Hor said the election process was a step forward towards democratisation, and a positive step.

Myanmar held its landmark by-elections on April 1, witnessed by hundreds of international observers, as well as reporters, the world over.

Meanwhile, Asean Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan said the secretariat was encouraged by the way the by-elections were conducted.

"This is only the first step of a long journey. We want to see Myanmar succeed in this quest, and the Asean family is firmly behind Myanmar, and we are ever ready to share our experiences, and support Myanmar's rebuilding and reconciliation efforts," he said.

The Asean Secretariat responded to Myanmar's invitation to send a five-member observer team, which spent five days in the country talking to voters, government and party officials from the ruling, opposition and independent camps.

The team also consulted with the United Nations and the European Union missions and the media, as well as Asean member states which responded to Myanmar's call to observe the election.

The team was divided into two -- one deployed in Mandalay and the other in the Yangon region. Team leader Dr Mely Anthony, frequently reported findings to the Asean secretary-general who is supportive of the people of Myanmar and the country's steps towards reconciliation. -- NNN-BERNAMA