President Thein Sein said the weekend’s elections reflected well on his country
The regional Asean grouping has formally called for all sanctions against Burma to be lifted immediately.
BBC news, March 4, 2012 — It said the move would support Burma’s democratic and economic development.
The two-day summit also discussed a proposed regional code of conduct to resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a statement said.
The leaders attending the meeting in Cambodia also called for six-party talks on North Korea’s nuclear programme to resume.
Asean leaders welcomed Burma’s by-elections on Sunday, which they described as "free, fair, and transparent".
The opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, won at least 40 of the 45 seats contested. . . .
‘Disagreement’
Asean members also discussed proposals to draft a code of conduct to resolve territorial disagreements in the South China Sea.
The region is rich in resources, and encompasses shipping routes important to traders across the world.
However, China has competing claims to several territories with Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Philippine Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said there was a "big disagreement" over the order in which the accord should be drafted.
Some members, including Vietnam and the Philippines, wanted Asean to craft the accord before sharing it with China. However, Cambodia, who is Asean chair in 2012, wanted China to be involved in the drafting process. . . .
BBC News – Asean summit confirms support to lift Burma sanctions
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See also The Official Website of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
See also China Seas
