The cabinet meeting on Tuesday 26, May 2009 has come to the following decisions:
1. Draft Royal Decree on Calling in Session the Regular Parliamentary Meetings B.E. 2552 and Draft Royal Decree on Closing the Regular Parliamentary Meetings B.E. 2552
The Cabinet approved of the draft Royal Decree on Calling in Session the Regular Parliamentary Meetings B.E. 2552 and Draft Royal Decree on Closing the Regular Parliamentary Meetings B.E. 2552, totaling 2 decrees, as proposed by the Secretariat of the Cabinet, for submission to receive Royal approval.
Gist of the decrees:
For the interests of the state, the Cabinet shall present a draft Act on Budget for fiscal year B.E. 2553 for the Parliament to consider as the first agenda approximately in the month of June 2009. Other issues may arise for consideration by the Parliament. It is therefore appropriate to call a regular session of a Parliamentary meeting on Monday 15 June 2009. As for the closing of the meeting, it shall be set to be on Tuesday 23 June 2009. This shall be marked as a Decree, under Article 28 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. The two draft Decrees are therefore proposed for action.
2. Draft Joint Statement of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit
The Cabinet approved the draft Joint Statement of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit prior to its signing by the Prime Minister at the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Commemorative Summit. If a non-substantive amendment to the draft is necessary, and does not affect the interests of Thailand, the Thai delegation to the meeting is approved to take appropriate actions, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The gist of the Declaration is as follows:
1. Review relations between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea-mentioning the past successes of ASEAN-Republic of Korea cooperation, including the Republic of Korea’s efforts to collaborate with ASEAN.
2. Promote political and security cooperation-in various new dimensions, such as counter-terrorism, money-laundering, narcotic drugs, human trafficking, including cooperation to ensure maritime security. Moreover, the Declaration mentions the promotion of the role of the Secretary-General of ASEAN according to the ASEAN Charter, as well as for the support of the peace process in the Korean Peninsula through negotiation processes.
3. Promote economic and development cooperation-focusing on the implementation of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement, and the promotion of cooperation in the fields of transportation and labour. The Republic of Korea shall arrange training programmes to increase various skills for ASEAN, and will continue support through providing Official Development Assistance for ASEAN.
4. Promote social and cultural exchanges-supporting the role of the ASEAN-Republic of Korea Centre in Seoul, as a bridge to link the cultures of both sides.
5. Cooperation on regional and international issues-affirm close cooperation to address the global financial crisis that are not through trade obstacles. The Declaration affirms support for the Chiang Mai Initiative and the Asia Bond, as well as recognizes the need to create independent agencies to monitor the regional economic situation.
The Draft Joint Declaration is an announcement of the political will of Leaders in promoting the relations between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea. It shall not be considered a document under Article 190 Section 2 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand.
3. The signing and adoption of important documents at the 17th ASEAN-European Union Ministerial Meeting
The Cabinet agreed to and approved the two proposals, as proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as follows:
1. Agreed to the draft of important documents of the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, totaling three drafts :
1.1 draft Joint Co-Chairman’s Statement of the 17th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting-The
substantive points are to affirm the determination of ASEAN and the EU in intensifying
relations in all sectors, and to recognize the outcomes of the exchange of views on
various regional and international developments in the context of ASEAN and the EU.
1.2 draft Phnom Penh Agenda for 2009-2010 to Implement the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action-The
important points are the reference to the activities and development cooperation
projects between ASEAN and the EU.
1.3 draft ASEAN Statement on the Ratification of the EU of the Treaty of Amity and
Cooperation in Southeast Asia
2. Approve for the Foreign Minister to sign or adopt the three documents mentioned.
3. If a non-substantive amendment to the draft is necessary, and does not affect the interests of Thailand, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is approved to take appropriate actions without having to submit to the Cabinet for approval again.
In considering the three documents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has concluded that the documents are political documents that express the general will to cooperate, and therefore the points included in the documents are not binding. It shall not be considered a document under Article 190 Section 2 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand.
4. Draft Royal Decree on Holding of By-elections for a Member of Parliament for Srisaket Province, 1st Electoral District, to Fill in Vacant Position B.E.....
The Cabinet approved the Draft Royal Decree on Holding of By-elections to Elect a Member of Parliament for Srisaket Province, 1st Electoral District, to Fill in Vacant Position, B.E....., as considered by the Election Commission, for further action. The gist of the draft Decree is to hold by-elections for Srisaket Province, 1st District, to fill vacant position on 28 June 2009.
--Cabinet Meeting (Abhisit Vejjajiva) May 26, 2009--