NAJIB-OBAMA MEETING A RECOGNITION FOR ASIA, SAYS SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT

From Hasnul Hassan

SEOUL, April 24 (Bernama) -- The meeting of President Barrack Obama and
Najib Tun Razak on the sidelines of the recent Nuclear Security
Summit in Washington was a recognition not only for Malaysia but also for Asia,
said South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

"I think this clearly shows how much the Americans and the United States
administration recognise the importance of Asia," he said.

It also reflected how much Obama was committed to expanding his partnership
with Asian partners, said Lee who was also in Washington for the summit.

"When you look at just the size of the economy of many other countries in
the Asian region, I think it is safe to say that Asia as a whole is in a
position to contribute to the international community, do its part and carry its
responsibility on the global stage," he said.

The President made the remarks during an hour's meeting with the heads of 41
regional news agencies from 33 countries who are here to attend the Organisation
of Asia Pacific News Agencies (OANA) Summit Meeting.

Lee held the audience at the Presidential Office – Blue House.

He said it was unprecedented to have top officials of 41 news agencies from
around the world together in one place to discuss the future of their business.

Saying news agencies played an active role in providing the international
community accurate and fair news, the President believed cooperation among
such media framework was very important.

Asked by Bernama to elaborate on his New Asia policy, Lee said South Korea
was committed to expanding its partnership with not only Malaysia and the
10-member Asean but also with other Asian countries.

"Strengthening cooperation between (South) Korea and all other countries
will not only be beneficial for (South) Korea but collectively can contribute to
the recovery of the global economy.

"It will also sustain the prosperity of the community," he said.


Lee said the cooperation among the partners of the Asian region should be
based on the spirit of equal partnership and mutual respect.

"This was evidently shown last year when the Asean members managed to come
together to take substantive action to overcome the economic crisis," he said.

At last year’s Chiangmai meeting, Asean and its three regional partners –
South Korea, China and Japan - exhibited the kind of close cooperation when they
created a fund in response to the crisis.

"This is the idea and concept of the New Asia policy," Lee said.

-- BERNAMA




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