PHNOM PENH - ASEAN said Tuesday that it is encouraged by the orderly, fair, transparent and peaceful manner which Myanmar has conducted its by-elections on 1 April, calling for lifting of economic sanctions against the country.

In a statement issued here by the ASEAN Secretariat on Tuesday, ASEAN Chair, Cambodia, made the call to end the economic sanction against Myanmar.

"We urge the international community to consider lifting economic sanctions on Myanmar so that the people of Myanmar can enjoy better opportunities in realizing their aspirations for peace, national reconciliation, democracy and national development, " said Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

Hor said the election process was a positive step forward towards democratization.

Meanwhile, Myanmar President U Thein Sein said at the 20th ASEAN Summit held in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, on Tuesday that his country's by-election on April 1st was held in a free and fair manner.

He said that ASEAN leaders had also agreed to request the international community to consider lifting economic sanctions on Myanmar because that is believed to benefit the latter in its democratization process and economic development.