Your Excellency,

It is a great pleasure for us to meet you. Your six months in office have certainly been very busy and we know you have pressing concerns. We therefore much appreciate the fact that you are able to be with us in person. I think this is a clear sign that you attach great importance to our relationship. On behalf of my ASEAN colleagues, may I extend a warm welcome to you and your delegation. I hope our meeting will not only enable us to exchange views but will set our relations on course for the next few years.

Since the last session, our officials have met in Bandar Seri Begawan for the Eleventh Dialogue Meeting. Such meetings are meant to give substance to what we discuss here and this was achieved at the Bandar Seri begawan meeting. It also showed the value of our decision to upgrade the dialogue meeting to the level of senior officials.

We were also glad that the private sectors from ASEAN and the United States were able to take part. ASEAN considers the private sector to be what we have termed "The Engine of Growth". Governments, therefore, need to assist it to perform this function in our economies. For this reason, it is good to see that our private sectors are now regularly meeting and exchanging views on how to create economic growth which will benefit both sides. Overall, the meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan was purposeful and enhanced our existing trade and investment ties.

We also hope that we can reach understanding on many political issues of mutual concern. It would clear the way for us to work towards our economic objectives. I see our acceptance of an important role in helping the Cambodians restore peace and stability to their country as a good example of what can be achieved. We, therefore, appreciate the opportunity for us to consult and exchange views on other problem areas. ASEAN hopes that, as a result of our discussions, ASEAN and the United States will have a clearer understanding of each others' views on a wide range of complex concerns and issues.

In assessing broad regional trends, we would welcome a continued United States presence in the region. In the past, this has brought not only peace and security but has also helped our economic cooperation with our leading trading partner. On our part, we feel that ASEAN can offer many opportunities for United States entrepreneurs through the ASEAN Free Trade Area which is intended to make the ASEAN region more competitive for trade and business.


Your Excellency,

ASEAN is optimistic about the relationship with the United States. We are confident that our cooperation will prosper and continue to bring progress and development for the benefit of the peoples of ASEAN and the United States.

Thank you.