Obama says Asia's security mustn't be based on intimidation

PanARMENIAN.Net - The U.S. president said Asia's security must not be based on intimidation, where big nations bully small ones, BBC News reports.

Barack Obama told students in Brisbane, Australia - where he is attending the G20 summit - that security in the region must depend on mutual alliances.

He said there was "no question" over his commitment to Asia-Pacific allies, referring to U.S. efforts to increase its strategic focus on the region.

The two-day G20 summit will focus on promoting economic growth.

World leaders are expected to expand on plans agreed in February at the G20 finance ministers' meeting to boost global economic growth by 2% in five years.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also urged those attending to meet the challenges posed by Ebola, climate change and the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to face a hostile reception from some Western leaders concerned about Russia's increasing military assertiveness and tensions over its role in Ukraine.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said on Saturday, Nov 15, that Russia could face further sanctions unless it stopped "destabilising" Ukraine.

Earlier President Obama said Russia's "aggression" towards Ukraine was a "threat to the world" - citing the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 as proof.

Obama said security in the Asia-Pacific region depended on international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

"We believe... that any effective security order for Asia must be based not on spheres of influence, or coercion or intimidation where big nations bully the small, but on alliances for mutual security, international law and norms that are upheld, and the peaceful resolution of disputes," he said.

He also said that all countries had to increase jobs and prosperity, warning that America could not "carry the global economy on its back".

In his remarks opening the summit, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he wanted to use the event to reassure people about the direction of the world's economy, with a "message of hope and optimism".

He earlier said world leaders would use the summit to discuss job creation, identifying tax cheats and strengthening the global economy.

His government had tried to keep climate change off the agenda, despite calls from campaigners.