Leaders of member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Sunday called for unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people.

In the Chairman's statement following the conclusion of the 14th ASEAN summit here Sunday, leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries said they discussed the situation in the Gaza during their two-day summit.

"We emphasized that the welfare and wellbeing of the Palestinian people in the Gaza was of paramount importance. We called for the unimpeded access of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people throughout the Gaza in order to help alleviate their plight," said the statement.

The leaders said that they supported all efforts, regional and international, aimed at achieving a durable ceasefire on the ground.

The leaders also stressed the importance of promoting recovery and rehabilitation in the Gaza and the need for sustained international assistance in this regard.

"In this connection, we urged active participation by all countries concerned in an International Conference on Gaza Reconstruction organized by Egypt in Sharm El-Sheikh on March 2. We welcomed efforts to achieve reconciliation among the Palestinian people and in particular the latest agreement between Palestinian factions to establish committees to address the formation of a unity government," said the statement.

The leaders called for renewed efforts by all parties concerned and the international community to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the vision of a region where Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace with secure and recognized borders.

"Towards this end, talks between the Israeli and Palestinian sides should be held as soon as possible," said the statement.

The ASEAN groups Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2009)