ASEAN, US commit to boosting bilateral ties

ASEAN and the US have affirmed their commitment to enhancing their bilateral relations on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
ASEAN and the US have affirmed their commitment to enhancing theirbilateral relations on the occasion of the 36th anniversary of theirstrategic partnership.

In a ceremony on Dec. 6at the ASE AN Secretariat’s headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia,the group’s Deputy Secretary General for Political-Security CommunityNyan Lynn said that the success of the first ASEAN-US Summit held inBrunei in October reflects the equal and sustainable partnershipbetween the two sides.

He stated that the ASEANSecretariat welcomes continued cooperation in potential fields that canhelp build the ASEAN Community by 2015 and beyond.

On this occasion, the two sides launched two five-year programmesfunded by the US Agency for International Development with the aim tointensify poverty reduction and inclusive economic development in ASEANmember nations.

The first programme focuses onASEAN connectivity through trade and investment, with the aim to supportthe development of the ASEAN Economic Community in the areas of customsintegration, trade and investment facilitation, clean and efficientenergy, and information and communication technologies.

Meanwhile, the second, called “ASEAN-US Partnership for GoodGovernance, Equitable and Sustainable Development and Security”, willhelp intra-ASEAN and ASEAN-US cooperation in good governance,public-private sector dialogue and the promotion of human rights. Italso aims to help the group combat trans-national crimes andnon-traditional security threats, and support its work in disastercontrol.

The US began engaging with ASEAN as a dialogue partner in 1977.-VNA

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