SINGAPORE, Nov 15 2009 (Bernama) - United States (US) President Barack Obama Sunday expressed his great appreciation for Malaysia's contribution in maintaining regional peace and security all this while.

Obama cited the role played by Malaysia in tackling terrorism, as the intermediary in resolving the conflict in Southern Philippines, maintaining security in the Straits of Melaka and checking human trafficking to third countries at a meeting between Asean and the US at the Shangri-La Hotel, here.

This was stated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at a media conference after attending the meeting immediately after the conclusion of the Asia Pacific Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM) at the Istana.

Najib said the Asean-US Meeting was historic as it was the first time that such a meeting was being held, and it was obvious that the US was keen to forge closer relations with Asean.

He said Obama had stated that he intended to enhance relations with Asean through various cooperation including trade, investment, technology, education, the teaching and learning of English language and continuing the 'Peace Corps' programme.

The Prime Minister said Vietnam, who will be the chairman of Asean next year, also expressed its hope that the meeting between the Asean leaders and the US President would be turned into an annual event.

He said Obama wanted to have close contacts with Asean and hoped that Asean would become an inclusive economic region.

Najib also disclosed that the US wished to hold dialogues with the Muslim countries and asked Malaysia to assist her in the process of holding inter-faith dialogues.

Obama also stated that the US would endeavour to resolve the peace process in West Asia no matter how difficult it would be, said Najib who described the statement as a good start for the Muslim world.

On the Myanmar issue, which was also raised at the Asean-US Meeting, the Prime Minister said Obama had stated his desire to see the achievement of democracy and the release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in the Asean member country.

Responding to a question, Najib said Myanmar did not give any response when the issue of Suu Kyi's release was raised by Obama, but it welcomed the US engagement policy.

Asked on Obama's stand on free trade, the Prime Minister said although the US President was facing pressure in his country to defend the US trade, the tone from Obama showed that he rejected protectionism and somewhat accepted free trade.

Najib said Obama's approach might be different but his principles on free trade remained the same and he certainly gave his commitment on the matter.

After the media conference, Najib and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor took the opportunity to pay a visit on the Sultan of Kelantan who has been receiving medical treatment at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital for the past few months, before departing for Kuala Lumpur.