The US and the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) haveagreed to work towards elevating the relationship to a strategicpartnership in time for the East Asia Summit (EAS) in November.

The remark was made during the 28 th ASEAN-US Dialogue held inWashington DC on May 15 and co-chaired by Assistant Secretary for EastAsian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel and his counterpart U Aung Lynn,Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar.

At the Dialogue, both parties reaffirmed their commitment torealising solutions to pressing global, regional and transnationalissues affecting the region, including climate change; illegal,unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing; humanitarian assistance anddisaster relief (HA/DR); and recent developments in the East Sea.

Both sides discussed ASEAN efforts towards greater economic integration and areas of expanded economic cooperation.

The US reiterated the importance of ASEAN unity and centrality in theregional security architecture, and both parties underscored theimportance of the EAS as the premier leaders-led forum for addressingstrategic, high-level political and security matters.

The USand ASEAN also discussed migration in Southeast Asia and the need toaddress the underlying challenges that contribute to it.

Thevery productive discussions at the dialogue are tangible demonstrationsof the US commitment to rebalancing foreign policy towards Asia,according to the announcement of the US Department of State.

Formed in 1967, ASEAN members include Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA