The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the US have voiced their hope for closer cooperation in political-security, economics and socio-cultural fields at their recent 27th dialogue in Yangon, Myanmar .

According to a press release from ASEAN, the meeting explored the ways and means to enhance coordination in such areas as maritime security, trans-national crime prevention - including terrorism, human trafficking and wildlife smuggling - renewable and clean energy, infrastructure, disaster management, education, and the environment.

Both sides are engaged in various frameworks aimed at improving the quality of life for ASEAN people. They reaffirmed their commitment to working together on capacity building programmes to help ASEAN meet its community building goals by 2015.

ASEAN thanked the US for its extensive support and looked forward to enhancing cooperation further in all Community pillars.

They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared interest.

The meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Aung Lynn, the Senior Officials Meeting Leader of Myanmar, and Daniel Russel, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the US Department of State.-VNA