Asean keen to boost US ties

THE US President Barrack Obama's second visit to Southeast Asia this month showcases US interest in multilateral cooperation, addressing security and economic issues and promoting independent identity of Asean, experts said yesterday.

The Secretary general of Asean Surin Pitsuwan yesterday also welcomed US initiative to renew the engagement.

Experts say Obama's trip to this region signals the growing important of US-Asean ties.

The Asean Secretary General said that Washington's emphasis on Southeast Asia is clear with the Obama's interest in the region.

Surin has said the strong determination of the US to re-engage with the Asean can be seen from the visit of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton upon taking office.

US have signed the non-aggression pact, Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, with the 10-member grouping in July 2009.

"These are Washington's new signals to the world that make the renewed engagement of the US with the region an exciting time for all," he said, adding that Asean welcome the US position vis-a-vis the region.

Bridget Welsh, a political science professor at the Singapore Management University, said that multilateral problem-solving approach by the Obama's Administration will signal more emphasis on Asean as an organisation and its capacity to work effectively to solve problems.

"The focus (of US interest of cooperation) will remain on economic issues but include concerns regarding climate change, health, nuclear non-proliferation and capacity building," Welsh told The Brunei Times.

Yulius Purwadi Hermawan, an International Relations expert from Universitas Parahyangan in Indonesia, agreed with Welsh. He said that long-historical cooperation on security, besides economic ties, between the two will be maintained. The Brunei Times