core sector communique

Obama Meets with Top ASEAN and East Asia Summit Leaders

By MacKenzie C. Babb

Staff Writer

Washington - President Obama has met with top leaders from Indonesia, Malaysia, India and the Philippines to discuss a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues on the sidelines of the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings and the East Asia Summit in Bali.

Obama's November 18 talks with the regional leaders took place on the last leg of his nine-day trip to Hawaii, Australia and Indonesia. The trip began in Honolulu, where Obama hosted the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' meeting November 12-13, after which he visited Canberra and Darwin, Australia.

The president has made individual meetings with other regional leaders a top priority during the trip, meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Chinese President Hu Jintao on the sidelines of the APEC meeting.

The White House said Obama's recent round of bilateral engagements began with attending the signing of a new $21.7 billion trade deal authorizing the sale of 230 aircraft from U.S. manufacturer Boeing to Indonesia's Lion Air. The agreement represents the largest commercial airplane agreement in history for Boeing, as well as one of the largest deals ever between the United States and Indonesia.

Following the signing, Obama met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The two discussed their countries' shared economic and security issues, including a commitment to offer training and support for the Indonesian military as it modernizes.

"This kind of defense cooperation not only helps build Indonesia's capacity to ensure its own security, it helps Indonesia play an active role in promoting security in the region," Obama said during a joint press conference with Yudhoyono.

He said the two also signed a Millennium Challenge Corporation agreement for the United States to provide $600 million to support environmentally sustainable economic development, public health and improved public services in Indonesia.

Obama praised Indonesia for promoting democracy and human rights while advancing security and peace. He said the country has played a leading role in the region, adding that U.S.-Indonesia cooperation has helped to achieve "real progress on issues like disaster relief, maritime security and nonproliferation."

Obama also met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh November 18 to discuss "commercial and strategic bonds between the world's two largest democracies."

Singh said in a press conference after meeting with Obama that the leaders marked progress made during the past year on issues including "the economy, investment, trade, in the field of higher education, in the field of clean energy and strategy and defense relations."

He added that the United States and India are united by their "quest for a world free from the threat of war, want and exploitation," and he highlighted bilateral cooperation on issues of humanitarian relief and disaster management, civil nuclear cooperation and maritime security.

In a joint news conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak later in the day, Obama said the United States and Malaysia have a strong bilateral relationship and are committed to working toward shared prosperity and security throughout the region.

Najib said Malaysia is interested in enhancing trade and investment with the United States, increasing joint work to ensure regional peace and stability, and moving forward with expanded cultural and educational exchanges.

The president met earlier November 18 with President Benigno Aquino of the Philippines and said the two leaders discussed both their political and security ties as well as the "incredible person-to-person relations" between the two countries.

The president is scheduled to take part in ASEAN meetings and the East Asia Summit through November 19. Obama will be the first U.S. president to take part in the East Asia Summit.

(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State.)