Sunday, 1 March 2009

ASEAN vows to stand firm against protectionism

Associated Press - March 1, 2009

CHA-AM, Thailand (AP) - Southeast Asian leaders have wrapped up their 14th annual summit by deciding to become more like the European Union.

The 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations has decided to push ahead with ambitious plans to become an EU-style economic community by 2015.

Leaders have agreed to refrain from imposing new trade barriers and say they'll stand firm against protectionism in their quest to create a single market in the next seven years.

The decision comes despite the dual obstacles of the global economic crisis and a dismal human rights record in member country Myanmar.

Myanmar's military junta has ignored global demands to free an estimated 2,100 political prisoners, including a Nobel laureate.

Myanmar and Cambodia refused to hold prearranged talks during the summit with pro-democracy activists from their countries.

ASEAN's goal of forming a single economic market mainly involves lifting trade barriers but not, at this point, adopting a common currency.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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