M'sian PM Najib To Promote People-Centred Asean At 25th Asean Summit

From Minggu Simon Lhasa NAY PYI TAW, Nov 11 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Razak will continue to promote Malaysia's proposal for a "People-Centred Asean" at the 25th Asean Summit held here on Nov 12-13. He is also expected to call for the redoubling of efforts to ensure the realisation of the Asean Community by the end of 2015, according to Foreign Affairs Ministry Secretary-General Othman Hashim. Othman told journalists here the summit would provide an opportunity for the Asean leaders to take stock of and review efforts towards realising the Asean Community by 2015 during related summits. He said the leaders of Asean and its dialogue partners were expected to discuss future dialogue relations. These will encompass co-operation in the fields of security, economy and culture as well as to exchange views on issues of common interest, among others, on radicalisation and terrorism and the role of moderation. It will also touch on environmental as well as regional issues such as the situation in the South China Sea and on the Korean Peninsula. During the ninth East Asia Summit, the leaders are expected to adopt joint statements on EAS guidelines for rapid disaster response, regional response to the outbreak of Ebola and illicit wildlife trafficking. Malaysia's proposed statement on the rise of violence and brutality committed by terrorist and extremist organisations in Iraq and Syria is also expected to be adopted by the leaders. Najib will arrive here Tuesday together with his wife Rosmah Mansor. At the summit themes "Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community", Najib will be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman and Minister of International Trade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed as well as other senior government officials. Najib is expected to hold bilateral meetings at the sidelines of the summits, including with India. At the close of the summit, there will be a symbolic handing-over ceremony in which Myanmar will hand over the Chairmanship of Asean to Malaysia for 2015. Najib is expected to briefly outline Malaysia's focus and responsibilities as Chair next year. Malaysia will also introduce the theme and logo of Malaysia's Chairmanship of Asean in 2015. --BERNAMA