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                         ASEAN Summit Opens in Myanmar

   by Steve Herman

   The 25^th summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
   is underway. In Myanmar's capital, Nay Pyi Taw, the summit opened with
   the host's expressions of concern about unfulfilled goals.

   The ASEAN Summit opened with the anthem of the organization - an
   unfamiliar song to which few of the leaders and Southeast Asian
   diplomats in attendance could sing along.

   That reflects the current dilemma of ASEAN's ten members. Some 48 years
   after its formation, the organization is still trying to define its
   goals and agree on harmonious policies for a diverse community of more
   than 600 million people.

   The summit's host, Myanmar's president, made note of this in his
   opening speech.

   Thein Sein cautioned that one year before the launch of the ASEAN
   Economic Community, which is supposed to create a single market,
   "challenges remain in implementing the remaining 20 percent of the
   targets and addressing the issues that will emerge in the post-2015
   ASEAN Community."

   The president also stated ASEAN "needs to play a greater role in the
   international arena by taking a more united stand in addressing issues
   of common concern and interest."

   That was interpreted, in part, as referencing the frustration among
   some states with the slow pace of finalizing a code of conduct for the
   South China Sea.

   The Philippines and Vietnam, in particular, have raised strong concern
   about maritime standoffs in the disputed waters involving Chinese
   vessels.

   The ASEAN meeting will be followed Thursday by the 9^th East Asia
   Summit.

   President Barack Obama is to attend the summit, along with such other
   leaders as China's premier, South Korea's president and the prime
   ministers of Australia, India, Japan and Russia.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/asean-summit-opens-in-myanmar/2516846.html