SE Asian leaders endorse human rights declaration

 Nov 19,  10:58 AM  Southeast Asian leaders have endorsed a human rights declaration which they called a breakthrough for the region. Leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) adopted the joint declaration at the annual summit in Phnom Penh, saying it would enshrine human right protections for the bloc’s 600 million people. Southeast Asian nations also called for the first formal talks with Beijing over a sea dispute. Asean Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will tell Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that Asean wants to begin talks on a binding code of conduct, aimed at reducing the chance of naval flashpoints, as soon as possible. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will join Asean leaders this afternoon in India Asean summit to launch talks for a regional free trade pact. Capacity building, connectivity and furthering economic growth and peace and stability will also remain in focus in the summit. Several other issues of regional and international importance are also extected to come up for discussions. East Asia summit to be held tomorrow will discuss strengthening maritime security apart from the other important issues including energy, education, disaster management and pandemics. The Prime Minister will also hold discussions on terrorism, piracy and some other issues with the leaders during retreat sessions at the East Asia Summit. It includes the ASEAN countries as well as India, the US and Russia. The summit will also consider adoption of a Phnom Penh Declaration as well as one on regional response to malaria control, and on the launch of a regional comprehensive economic partnership. AIR correspondent covering the summit reports the presence of re-elected American President Barack Obama in the deliberations is being keenly watched. Obama is scheduled to meet all the 10 Asean leaders during the 4th Asean-US Leaders' Meeting later in the day. He is also scheduled to attend the East Asia Summit .