"Based on a recommendation of the foreign ministers, the ASEAN leaders unanimously approved Myanmar`s proposal to let it assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2014," Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told the press here on Thursday evening.
The agreement was reached after a series of meetings led by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on the first day of the 19th ASEAN Summit being held here from November 17 to 19, 2011.
Marty said the ASEAN heads of state/government had seen positive changes in Myanmar, particularly in the human rights field.
"Each of the leaders acknowledged that there have been significant changes in Myanmar," Marty said.
The release of a number of political prisoners and the granting of freedom to the people to engage in politics were among the examples of positive developments in that country, he said.
It was also hoped that the prospect of becoming the ASEAN chair in 2014 would encourage Myanmar to continue to proceed on a course of positive developments, he said.
"With this, Myanmar will be watched continuously by the international world," he said.
According to the chairmanship rotation schedule, Myanmar will become the ASEAN Chair in 2015, and Laos in 2014.
But the Myanmarese government has talked to the Laos government to exchange their chairmanship schedule. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
