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THE
United States sees stronger economic ties with the
members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean)
as shown by the US$90-billion US private-sector current
investments in the 10 members of the regional bloc.
US
Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte said that
through the enhanced Asean market, the bloc is rapidly
growing and becoming a dynamic investment destination in
the world.
“We
continue to be strong economic partners. Our two-way
trade reached $168 billion last year, making Asean
America’s fourth-largest trading partner,” said
Negroponte at the Asean-US bilateral meet during the
Asean Post-Ministerial Conference held at the Philippine
International Convention Center (PICC).
He said
the US sees stronger trade ties with the regional bloc
through the US-Asean Trade and Investment Framework
signed in 2006, which established regular and formal
dialogue on trade and investment matters.
Negroponte emphasized that the US relations with the
Asean is a vital platform to push through its security
agenda in the East Asian region, including the
denuclearization in the Korean peninsula.
“The US
considers its relations with Asean as critical component
of its dealings with East Asia as a whole. We want to
deepen our partnership with you, both individually and
collectively to help build a better future for our
people,” said Negroponte.
Meanwhile, Negroponte lauded the democratic ideals of
rule of law, good governance and respect for human
rights and freedom reflected in the final draft of the
Asean charter that was submitted to foreign ministers by
the High Level Task Force.
The US
official noted the stronger role of Asean in supporting
democracy in the region as he cited the “significance of
the statement of Asean leaders on their shared vision to
achieve peace, stability, democracy and prosperity in
the region.”
“We also
applaud the Asean EPG’s [eminent persons group]
recommendations to your leaders to strengthen democratic
values, good governance, the rule of law and respect for
human rights and freedom as fundamental principles and
objectives in the Asean Charter,” said Negroponte.
He
stressed that the
US
intends to strengthen its engagement and deepen its ties
with the region as the two parties celebrate 30 years of
bilateral ties.
“Today
we will review progress on the enhanced partnership
announced by President Bush and Asean leaders in
November 2005. [It’s] the plan of action that Secretary
[Condoleeza] Rice and many of you signed in Kuala Lumpur
last year toward the road map for implementing the
enhanced partnership,” said Negroponte. |
