The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have urged Western nations to lift sanctions against Myanmar after its ruling military released opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa told newsmen at a retreat for the regional bloc’s foreign ministers on the island of Lombok that ASEAN countries have the same views on the removal of sanctions against Myanmar.

He said, the bloc’s foreign ministers welcomed November’s conducive and transparent elections, despite widespread criticism of the polls in which an army-backed party claimed an overwhelming victory.

They also hailed the release of Nobel laureate Suu Kyi from house arrest in Yangon. But there needs to be reconciliation and dialogue with Aung San Suu Kyi and various parties in Myanmar so they can be part of the change in Myanmar, Natalegawa added.