Singapore FM urges ASEAN members to resist protectionist pressures

www.chinaview.cn  2009-02-23 23:05:19     

SINGAPORE, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo said members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should resist protectionist pressures and ensure all regional and international agreements to be adhered to, local media reported on Monday. 

According to local radio 938Live's report, Yeo said he understands the pressures individual governments are facing to protect jobs and businesses within the country and to do so "in various ways." 

"But whatever they do, we must make sure they are not in breach of ASEAN and other international agreements," Yeo said ahead of the ASEAN Summit to be held this weekend. 

He said it is very important to keep the trading framework in place, which is a key objective of Singapore's participation in the summit. 

He said Singapore will benefit from ASEAN's integration process, which will enhance economic flow and create more jobs for local businesses and Singaporeans. 

ASEAN's 10 leaders will meet at the 14th ASEAN Summit scheduled on Feb. 27 - March 1 in Thailand.