MICC, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
13 November 2014
President Benigno S. Aquino III and the rest of the leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) welcomed United States President Barack Obama in the 2nd ASEAN-United States of America Summit on the final day of the 25th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.
The summit centered on efforts towards the realization of the Plan of Action to implement the ASEAN-U.S. Enhanced Partnership for Enduring Peace and Prosperity (2011-2015).
The leaders reiterated their commitment to continue working together for peace, security and stability in the region, including the South China Sea dispute. They discussed the strengthening of cooperation to address non-traditional security threats such as violence by extremist foreign fighters, cyber crime, climate change, prevention of communicable diseases like Ebola, combatting drug, human and arms trafficking, maritime security and disaster management.
They agreed that the successful implementation of the Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) Initiative would enhance trade and investment partnership, promote regional integration, narrow the development gap and close the digital divide, aside from progressing the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and ASEAN Strategic Transport Plan 2011-2015.
Moreover, the leaders emphasized in pursuing further the ASEAN-U.S. Scholarship Program in order to enhance human resource development.
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