North Korea and Myanmar featured topics at ASEAN plus 3 talks

Jul 21, 2010, 16:24 GMT

Hanoi - The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their three dialogue partners Wednesday voiced concern about the sinking of a South Korean warship and about Myanmar's upcoming elections.

The 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting opened on Monday in Hanoi, while on Wednesday, the first meeting with three dialogue partners, including China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, the so-called 'ASEAN plus 3' got under way.

'Ministers exchanged views of mutual concerns about regional and international issues, including the sinking of South Korean warship sinking and Myanmar issues,' spokesman Tran Ngoc An told a press briefing afterwards.

'Most foreign ministers have expressed deep concerns about the sinking of South Korean warship and the loss of 46 lives and extended their condolences to the people and the government of South Korea.'

Ministers also expressed support with the declaration of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) on July 9 on the incident. The UN Security Council unanimously condemned the attack on the South Korean warship Cheonan on March 26, but did not directly blame North Korea for the attack.

Ministers expressed hope that the six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear issue will be resumed as soon as possible, said An.

'Ministers urged Myanmar to make sure its upcoming elections were free and fair for the stability and development of Myanmar,' An told the German Press Agency dpa on the sidelines of the meeting.

'However, there were no concrete measures to put pressure on Myanmar,' An added.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Myanmar, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. dpa ptb dms

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