ASEM to wrap up summit, call for fair elections in Myanmar

BRUSSELS, Oct. 5, 2010 (Kyodo News International) -- Leaders from 46 Asian and European countries are likely to press Myanmar to hold fair and inclusive elections, and release political prisoners as they wind down their two-day summit in Brussels on Tuesday.

A copy of the final draft of the chair's summary obtained by Kyodo News states that the leaders ''encouraged the government of Myanmar to take the necessary measures to ensure that these elections would be free, fair and inclusive, and would mark a step towards a legitimate, constitutional, civilian system of government.''

The leaders at the Asia-Europe Meeting will also ask for ''the timely release of those under detention,'' pressuring the junta to free political prisoners including the country's pro-democracy icon (NASDAQ:ICLR) Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest.

On other regional issues, the ASEM leaders are expected to express their ''deep concern'' over the torpedo attack on a South Korean naval vessel in the Yellow Sea in March, which has been blamed on North Korea, and to stress ''the importance of preventing further such attacks.''

The leaders are likely to call for ''joint efforts to create circumstances to resume the six-party talks.'' The denuclearization negotiations, involving the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the United States, have been stalled since December 2008.

With regard to North Korea, the chair's statement, to be released at the close of the biennial summit, is also expected to stress ''the importance of addressing the humanitarian concerns of the international community, a phrase that apparently refers to the abduction of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents in the 1970s and 1980s.

Among other political issues, the ASEM leaders will note the importance of promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, while seeking ''an early negotiated solution'' on Iran's nuclear program, according to the draft statement.

The two-day summit also covered a wide range of economic issues from financial reforms to free trade and sustainable development. The leaders are likely to agree on greater integration and economic cooperation.

''Leaders reaffirmed the strategic dialogue and cooperation between Asia and Europe on the basis of equal partnership, mutual respect and benefit,'' the draft said.

The ASEM leaders are also expected to push for a successful conclusion of the Doha Round of trade liberalization talks under the World Trade Organization.

They will also likely agree on the importance of ''sustainable forest and water resources management'' and the need to exchange scientific research, experience and best practices among member countries.

The next ASEM summit is scheduled to be held in Vientiane, Laos, in October 2012.

ASEM, launched in 1996, is composed of 46 countries -- the 27 members of the European Union and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, plus Australia, China, India, Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russia and South Korea as well as two organizations.

(Puy Kea contributed to this report)

Source:http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/4556476

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