Secretary General of the ASEAN, Surin Pitsuwan speaks to audience in April, 2012. (Photo: AFP)

(VOVWorld) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations yesterday/ on Wednesday welcomed EU suspending most of its sanctions on Myanmar. Surin Pitsuwan, the head of the 10-member regional bloc that includes Myanmar saying that  it was the right thing to do at the right time. EU nations on Monday put a halt to most sanctions against Myanmar for one year to reward a series of dramatic reforms since direct army rule ended last year. Foreign ministers from the 27-nation bloc agreed a suspension of measures against almost 500 individuals and more than 800 firms in a meeting in Luxembourg.