U.S. regards ASEAN as key to solution of future problems

U.S. has renewed its relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since the pact is apparently resilient in dealing with global financial crisis and has remarkable stability and promising market for U.S. products.

The United States' new horizon on its alliance with the ten ASEAN member countries was apparently seen since U.S. President Barack Obama took office in January 2009.

During his early days in the office, President Obama issued several statements emphasizing the importance to improve the engagement with ASEAN countries.

In November last year, Obama said that the United States is very much enjoying its relations with countries in Southeast Asia, which he regarded as one of the most important and dynamic regions in the world.

In a more specific statement, Obama said that the United States is committed to strengthening its engagement in Southeast Asia both with "our individual allies and partners", and with ASEAN as an institution.

"ASEAN region undoubtedly has promising future with its stability, resources and remarkable resiliency to survive the global financial crisis. The United States has learned the great potentials in the regions that can mutually benefit each other through an eternal excellent relations between the two economies," Dr.Satu P. Limaye, Executive director of East-West Center, a U.S.- based think tank agency, said here recently.

Showing more clearly U.S. intention to nurture its relations with ASEAN countries was the statement issued by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in February last year when she toured several ASEAN countries.

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