Remarks by President Obama and Premier Wen Jiabao Before Bilateral Meeting

Peace Palace
Phnom Penh, Cambodia

11:40 A.M. ICT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  Well, it’s good to see Premier Wen again.  We last met at the East Asia Summit in Bali a year ago.

It’s very important that we use multilateral meetings like the EAS to discuss shared regional and global challenges, and I’m committed to working with China and I’m committed to working with Asia.  It’s important that our two countries cooperate to build a more secure and prosperous future for the Asia Pacific region and for the world.

Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Noda of Japan Before Bilateral Meeting

Peace Palace

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

10:50 A.M. ICT

PRESIDENT OBAMA:  I want to say how wonderful it is to see Prime Minister Noda again.  He very graciously called me shortly after the election.  And this becomes yet another opportunity for us to reaffirm the extraordinary alliance between our two countries.

That alliance between the United States and Japan has been a cornerstone of prosperity and security in the region, and we are going to have the opportunity to further discuss steps that we’re taking to renew that vision and that alliance for the 21st century.

Remarks by President Obama and President Thein Sein of Burma After Bilateral Meeting

Parliament Building
Rangoon, Burma

11:12 A.M. MMT

PRESIDENT SEIN:  (As interpreted.)  First of all, the entire people of Myanmar, including myself, join me in welcoming here Excellencies -- Mr. President, the first ever visit of a U.S. President to Myanmar.  And it is in Myanmar -- our bilateral relationship.

In fact, Myanmar established diplomatic relations with the United States since -- in the year 1947, a year before our -- the year before our independence.  The United States was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Myanmar, and our countries have long history and have maintained friendly relations.

For the first 20 years, there were some difficulties and obstacles in our bilateral relations.  But, however, when President Obama took office in the United States, and because of the visions -- a reengagement policy of the President as well as the efforts of the Secretary of State and the contributions of the ambassadors -- our bilateral relations have been progressing steadily.  And then, in this regard, I would like to reiterate our commitment to continue cooperation to strengthen our bilateral relations in the years to come.

In this regard, we would like to reiterate that based on mutual respect, understanding and cooperation, we will move forward to further strengthen and promote our bilateral relations with the United States.