They said that they welcomed the “outcomes” of the international meetings in Baghdad and Sharm El-Sheikh aimed at expediting national reconciliation and reconstruction that are crucial to the attainment of peace, security and development in Iraq.

Earlier, in an interview with ABS-CBN, US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, head of the US delegation to the ASEAN meetings, said that if America will withdraw precipitably from Iraq, there will be very negative consequences in the region, one of which is the risk of Iraq becoming like Afghanistan.

While the statement of the ASEAN foreign ministers was not discussed in the interview, Negroponte was quick to say though that the United States is very mindful of public opinion in various countries all over the world.

“And if you look at the various international structures that exist in the world, whether it’s the US or the international financial institutions or ASEAN, we’re a strong supporter of the international system and we would hope that over time those countries that had adverse reactions to specific policies might take a look at some things we do in a more favorable light," Negroponte said.

The ministers have emphasized the need to bolster security in the region through cooperation with regional and international security groups as well as aid coordination mong member-states and dialogue partners.

“The Ministers recognized the security challenges facing the Pacific island countries and the need for the international community to play a constructive role in ensuring political stability and socio-economic development, through better aid coordination among other means," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo said Aug. 2 in a chairman’s statement delivered at the closing of the 14th Asean Regional Forum at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Regional and security issues were among the key subjects discussed in the ARF.

The ministers praised the denuclearization of the North Korean Peninsula, saying the shutdown of its Yonbyong nuclear facility is important in maintaining the security of the region.

The ministers also emphasized the need to “address the issue of humanitarian and people concerns of the international community."

“The Ministers expressed concern on the pace of the national reconciliation process and urged Myanmar to show tangible progress that would lead to a peaceful transition to democracy in the near future," the statement said.

They called for the “early release” of the political prisoners detained in military-ruled Myanmar and for “effective dialogue with all parties concerned."

European Union High Commissioner Javier Solana expressed disappointment over Myanmar’s human rights record.

He said the European Union intends to sign free trade cooperation agreements with individual Asean member-states as well as its dialogue partners but not with the regional bloc as a whole.

Solana did not state the reason for this action but hinted the EU’s reason for dealing with individual members is Myanmar’s resistance to deal with its human rights situation.

The ARF is the designated forum for ironing out political and security issues in the region.

The Ministers also reaffirmed that terrorism is hindering the development of the region.

The Ministers, however, said terrorism acts “should not be associated with any particular religion or ethnic group."

They called for continued international efforts to “promote and enhance dialogue and broaden the understanding among faiths and civilizations."

The Ministers also expressed support and called for cooperation with regional counter terrorism centers such as the Southeast Asia Regional Center for Counter-Terrorism in Kuala Lumpur, the International Law Enforcement Agency in Bangkok, the Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement Cooperation in Semarang, Indonesia and the Regional Antiterrorist Structure of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

The 10-nation ASEAN also expressed deep concern over the situation in the Middle East, saying that there is a need for substantial progress in the quest for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the area.