On the eve of the US-Asean Leaders Summit in Sunnylands, California today (tomorrow in Malaysia), Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the summit represents a recognition by the United States of the diplomatic, economic and strategic importance of Asean.

“It is a significant meeting for both Asean and the United States.

“It is the first summit after the elevation of the dialogue relations to a strategic partnership in November last year in Kuala Lumpur (during the Asean Summit and related summits),” he said here yesterday (today in Malaysia).

Najib said the two-day summit starting today would provide the leaders with the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to the principles underlying the strategic partnership.

The summit would also provide guidance on the way forward for US-Asean ties, he said.

- Bernama