ASEAN Summit May 10-11, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

 

Myanmar is center stage for the 2014 ASEAN Summit to be held in its capital Nay Pyi Taw on May 10th and 11th. Representatives from 10 ASEAN countries will converge on the capital to discuss a range of issues including the ASEAN Charter and the planned ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) scheduled for a 2015 launch. The proposed AEC will reduce barriers on trade and movement of labor within the region. A key issue before the members will be the ongoing maritime disputes centering on the South China Sea. 

The Myanmar Times reported on May 9 that Myanmar is set to announce the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration to urge increased cooperation ahead of the 2015 start of the AEC. Myanmar, as 2014 ASEAN chair is responsible to make sure that all members are up to speed before 2015.

The May 10-11 meeting is the first major meeting Myanmar is holding as ASEAN chair. According to the ASEAN website: “Political, economic and administrative reforms in Myanmar since 2011 have made it possible for Myanmar to play a more active roe in regional and international affairs in accordance with its foreign policy objectives…”