"During a meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers today, I gained the impression that all member states positively assessed the developments n Maynmar during the past months. However, it must be noted that the momentum needs to be maintained," said the minister after attending the 9th Meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Council (ACC) as a preparation towards the holding of the 19th ASEAN Summit in Nusa Dua next November 17-19.
Marty said the improved situation in Myanmar recently might create a conducive situation for ASEAN member states to approve Myanmar`s bid for chairmanship in 2014.
"Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014 will motivate Myanmar to improve human rights and democracy in the country," the minister said.
However, Marty reminded that the decision on Myanmar`s proposal would be decided by ASEAN leaders with recommendation given by the foreign ministers.
In the earlier round of ASEAN rotating leadership Myanmar has to let its turn to be taken by others because it was considered not quite ready for it.
Myanmar should have been the ASEAN chair in 2015 while Laos in 2014 but the Myanmarese government had negotiated with Laos to exchange its turn like what Indonesia and Brunei have done.
Marty visited Myanmar some weeks ago to witness the readiness of that country for the ASEAN chairmanship.
(A051/A051/A014)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
