Noy off to Myanmar for Asean summit

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will fly to Myanmar on Nov. 12 to attend the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit until Nov. 13.

Before that trip, he will be in Beijing on Nov. 10-11

for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit hosted by China.

After Beijing and Myanmar, Aquino will be in Singapore from Nov. 18-19 and in South Korea from Dec. 11-12.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Luis Cruz told reporters in Malacañang that Aquino will attend the launching of the ASEAN Institute of Green Economy and gala dinner hosted by Myanmar President U Thein Sein.

No bilateral meetings were scheduled with other ASEAN heads of state.

Cruz said ASEAN heads of state will discuss and exchange views on ASEAN Community 2015 and Beyond (Greater ASEAN Connectivity) and regional and international issues.

Aquino will attend the 25th ASEAN Summit Plenary Session, the 12th ASEAN-India Summit, the 17th ASEAN-Japan Summit, the 6th ASEAN-UN Summit and the 40th ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit in Naypyidaw on Nov. 12.

He will also join other leaders at the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session, the 2nd ASEAN-US Summit, the 17th ASEAN-China Summit and the 17th ASEAN-Plus Three Summit on Nov. 13.

On the same day, Aquino will also meet the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

Aquino is expected to speak immediately after Sein because the Philippines is the “country coordinator” for Australia until 2015.

At the 9th East Asia Summit Plenary Session, leaders will talk about climate change, disaster management and pandemic diseases and non-traditional security issues.

Last Oct. 9, Aquino went to Indonesia and attended the two-day Bali Democracy Forum VII set by then President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Bali.

Aquino went on a four-nation trip to Europe and the US for two weeks in September.