Obama to praise progress but press for further reforms in Myanmar

Published on Nov 18, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.com/ Barack Obama has arrived in Rangoon, for an historic six-hour visit.

Walking down the steps of Air Force One, he became the first sitting US President to visit Myanmar, also known as Burma.

A country moving quickly in its process of political reform, Obama will no doubt also be aware of Myanmar's huge economic potential.

A senior US official says Obama will announce the resumption of 170 million dollars of aid programmes during his visit but added that this would be dependant on further political reforms.

He is also due to meet democracy campaigner Aung Sang Suu Kyi.

The US delegation will later travel on to Cambodia.

Find us on:
Youtube http://bit.ly/zr3upY
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/euronews.fans
Twitter http://twitter.com/euronews

WTO welcomes Laos as a new member

Published on Oct 31, 2012 by WTO

http://www.wto.org/ 26.10.12

The General Council today paved the way for Laos' membership in the WTO by approving its accession package. Laos will have to ratify the deal and would become WTO's 158th member 30 days after the ratification.

Have a look at the news item on the WTO's website:
http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news12_e/acc_lao_26oct12_e.htm

Obama's Asian Tour

Published on Nov 18, 2012 by Euronews

http://www.euronews.com/ U.S. President Barack Obama has kicked off a three country Asian tour. His first stop on the trip has been Thailand, where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Bangkok.

This is his first trip abroad since winning re-election earlier this month and sends a clear message that he is serious about shifting U.S. focus eastwards. It is Obama's second extensive visit to the region in the past year. As a child, he spent several years in Indonesia, which has led him to call himself the "Pacific President".

His next stop will be Myanmar, also known as Burma. It is another milestone for U.S. relations with the country, which is going through a fragile transition after years of military rule. He will meet President Thein Sein and opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the struggle against the former regime.

The U.S. President's tour will end in Cambodia where he will attend the East Asia summit.

Find us on:
Youtube http://bit.ly/zr3upY
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/euronews.fans
Twitter http://twitter.com/euronews