Today President Obama met with the Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama at Working Lunch with ASEAN leaders

The head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Surin Pitsuswan, said he was "very, very relieved" and hoped the move would "contribute to true national reconciliation".

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The EAS was launched in 2005 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bringing together leaders of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and six other Asia-Pacific region countries.

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As this year's meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers wound down on July 25, some officials gathered in Bangkok were lamenting that North Korea would inevitably steal the show.

CNN: Relegated to the Sidelines?

And at the same time it provided foreign ministers in Manila - those from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and their dialogue partners from around the world - an excuse to speak out if they desired.

CNN: Waiting To Move Ahead

"That's very important -- not only does it mean Indonesia's GDP and per capita income are going to rise very substantially ... but also it's very important for the rest of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), because Indonesia is going to act as a growth driver for other ASEAN economies and for Asia regionally, " Biswas said.

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