Singapore, November 19:

Southeast Asian ministers today adopted a charter committing the region to promote human rights and democratic ideals, at the start of a summit dominated by the abuses of member state Myanmar.

“It will take us an important step forward,” Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said, adding that the landmark document would take “regional integration to a higher level.” The charter, which transforms the ASEAN into a rules-based legal entity along the lines of the EU, will be signed by the bloc’s 10 leaders tomorrow.

“We agree with the charter,” Myanmar Foreign Minister Nyan Win

said. “We will sign, sure.” The draft omits punitive measures which had been considered.

A report from Yangon said Aung San Suu Kyi met today with a junta officer, Labour Minister Aung Kyi, a government official said.

A report from Brussels said EU foreign ministers today formally adopted fresh sanctions against Myanmar’s military regime.