U.S. hails 'new era' with ASEAN as summit commits to raise level of ties

U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks during the U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit at the U.S. Department of State, in Washington, U.S., May 13, 2022. REUTERS/Leah Millis

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Friday a first summit in Washington with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) marked the launch of a "new era" in the relationship between the United States and the 10-nation bloc.

In a joint 28-point "vision statement" after a two-day meeting, the two sides took what analysts called a symbolic step of committing to raise their relationship from a strategic partnership to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" in November.