BRUNEI DARUSSALAM, (PNA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III joined Thursday other leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the closing rites of the 23rd ASEAN Summit and the handover of ASEAN’s chairmanship from Brunei Darussalam to Myanmar.
President Thein Sein said the theme of Myanmar’s chairmanship would be “Moving forward in Unity in a Peaceful and Prosperous Community.”
In one interview here, President Aquino said he believes Myanmar could handle the ASEAN chairmanship well and the ASEAN as a group must support it.
Aside from the ASEAN chairmanship, Myanmar will also host the East Asia Summit in 2014. The meeting will bring together ASEAN members with the US, China and Russia, and other countries.
According to the President, the choice made by Myanmar, to take the path towards democracy, has started to benefit its people.
But there are challenges that lie ahead, the President said, adding that President Thein Sein and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi must work together for the national good.
President Aquino returned to Manila Thursday evening following his successful attendance to the 23rd ASEAN Summit here.