ASEAN leaders congratulate Myanmar on progress

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hopes that stakeholders in Myanmar will push on with national reconciliation for the good of the people of the country. He congratulated Myanmar for its progress towards democracy, following the country's recent smooth and transparent by-elections. Speaking during the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, Mr Lee said he hopes this will help Myanmar break out of isolation and improve relations with the developed countries. Mr Lee said Singapore will continue to support Myanmar bilaterally and in ASEAN, of which Myanmar is a member. He said Singapore recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Technical Cooperation with Myanmar and is happy to share its experiences in economic development, human resource development and public administration. He also said Singapore will work closely with Myanmar to ensure that its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2014 will be a success. Mr Lee stressed that it is important to maintain regional peace and security so that ASEAN can continue to prosper. This includes managing potential flash points, such as the South China Sea dispute. Mr Lee said Singapore's position is clear - it is not a claimant and takes no sides in the dispute. He said Singapore's fundamental interests are freedom of navigation through international sea lanes and the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law. Mr Lee said Singapore is committed to implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and supports the expeditious conclusion of a Code of Conduct. He said ASEAN has worked long and hard for this and that China is now ready to negotiate the Code of Conduct. Mr Lee called for ASEAN unity on this. He said the grouping should not hold up progress on such an important issue. ASEAN leaders have concluded their 20th summit in the Cambodian capital after two days of discussions on a wide range of topics, including speeding up efforts to realise the ASEAN Community 2015 vision. Mr Lee said ASEAN has been one of the major factors why Southeast Asia has been stable and prosper. "The more we can work together, the more we can reinforce that basis at a time of considerable global uncertainty and challenge," he said. "So that's why every time we meet, we discuss a similar agenda ... our integration ... the ASEAN economic community, we talk about our cooperation with our partners. "In practical terms, we are trying to make it easier for people to trade and to work together with one another and to have an interest in one another's success," added Mr Lee..