A Cambodian delegation, led by Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, has returned home from the 1st ASEAN-US leaders Meeting with American President Barack Obama in Singapore on November 15. Upon arriving at the Phnom Penh International Airport, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Personal Advisor to Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, told reporters at a press conference on the results of the 1st ASEAN-US leaders Meeting that it was a historic meeting and very important because it was the first time in 32 years that the 10 ASEAN leaders have met with the President of United States to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and the US.

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary of State and on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, continued to say that the ASEAN leaders and the President of the United States of America have agreed to a 2nd ASEAN-US leaders meeting due to the joint concerns that
this meeting highlighted and in order to promote the partnership and priority of ASEAN-US cooperation.

The President of the United States of America welcomed and supported additional plans of ASEAN to build an ASEAN community in 2015 based on the ASEAN constitution, said Dr. Kao, adding that the ASEAN-US leaders have agreed to increase cooperation and diplomacy between ASEAN countries and the US in order to resolve regional and world problems. ASEAN and the United States of America also agreed on the need to extend and improve cooperation in order to facilitate exchanges in fields of education, such as technical science, and to increase opportunity for the study of English in the United States of America as well as different counties in ASEAN. The ASEAN-US leaders have agreed to hold the 2nd ASEAN-US leaders meeting in 2010. In the 1st meeting, American President Barack Obama declared it the policy of the United States to increase good relations with ASEAN to promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The ASEAN leaders also welcomed the participation of the United States in a treaty of friendship and cooperation in Southeast Asia and the appointment of an ambassador for ASEAN affairs to work with the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia.

President Barack Obama also mentioned the support of the United States of America in the establishment of the ASEAN Inter-Government
Commission on Human Rights which reveals the pledge of ASEAN members to promote and protect human rights. Obama invited this commission’s members to visit the United States in 2010 for a learning experience. The United States also welcomed the ASEAN leaders’ declaration in connection with infrastructure which was approved at the 15th ASEAN summit in Hua Hin, Thailand. All ASEAN leaders have welcomed the continued active support of the United States to the “ASEAN Region Forum” and have also remarked on their interest in the United States leading the meeting of ASEAN National Defense Ministers+3 and of US defense officials meeting with ASEAN members. Concerning regional and international problems relating to Myanmar, ASEAN leaders have welcomed the United States’ high level negotiations with and new policy towards Myanmar, as shown through the visit of Kurt Campbell, US Assistant Secretary
of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, in early November 2009. ASEAN leaders and the United States have expressed high hopes
that the above efforts will contribute to widespread reforms regarding political issues and the economy to achieve national reconciliation.

They also hope for a universal election in 2010, conducted freely and fairly with transparency in order to achieve international recognition. All of the leaders also reaffirmed their continuing support of the Secretary General of United Nations in promoting the democratic process in Myanmar.

Leaders of ASEAN and the US affirmed and pledged anew to curb the spread of nuclear weapons as well as reduce supplies of existing weapons. ASEAN leaders welcomed the efforts of President Barack Obama in urging for peace and international security, including his vision of a world without nuclear weapons. All of the leaders agreed that the establishment of a Southeast Asia without nuclear weapons will contribute to the reduction of the world’s nuclear weapons problem and increase peace and security in the region. ASEAN leaders and the United States have agreed to cooperate against international terrorism and to extend efforts in stopping border crimes, such as drug and weapons smuggling, sea robbery, and international
economic crimes in accordance with the legislation of each country. All of the leaders have agreed to establish cooperation for development
between ASEAN and the United States, which has supported the effort of ASEAN to reach millennium development goals and reduce the gap in development between members of ASEAN. They also highlighted the goals of regional mobilization and the realization of an ASEAN community in 2015. ASEAN leaders welcomed the
United States’ initial idea urging cooperation with the lower Mekong region in the areas of the environment, well-being, education and infrastructure development. The summit also supported the notion of yearly meetings between American Ministers and countries in the lower Mekong region. The ASEAN leaders and the United States also remarked about the importance of cooperation in the fields of security and energy to ensure sustainable energy supplies and the development of clean energy to limit environmental impact. Regarding food security, all leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation, especially through investment, capacity- building, experience-sharing, and the implementation of research and development in agricultural sectors. All of the leaders also agreed to strengthen and extend cooperation in disaster relief. They expressed their appreciation for recent contributions of the United States which provided assistance to the region.

The United States has also supported the efforts of ASEAN in building their capabilities to respond urgently to disasters. Relating to public health, especially the spread of infectious diseases, all leaders reaffirmed their joint efforts to improve regional capacity in monitoring and preparing to reply urgently to outbreaks. All of the leaders applauded the initial opinion and cooperation between ASEAN health ministers and the American Health Center in response to the threat of A/ H1N1 in May 2009. Prior to the 1st ASEAN-US Leaders Meeting, Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen met with His Excellency
Susilo Bambang yudhoyono, President of Indonesia, to discuss reasons for the border dispute and tension between Cambodia and Thailand.
Prime Minister Hun Sen reported on the good situation along the border, especially the border of the Preah Vihear temple from which the Royal Government of Cambodia recently withdrew a portion of its troops for the second time.

The Indonesian President Susilo Bambang yudhoyono has expressed his thanks to Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen for his clear report on the tense situation with Thailand. (SEAW)