On 23 — 25 January 2011 ASEAN Foreign Ministers will participate in a Road Trip along the Chiang Saen — Houey Xay — Louang Namtha — Jinghong — Kunming section of Route R3A to observe development and potential along the route which will kick off ASEAN’s effort to implement the Master Plan on ASEAN connectivity endorsed by ASEAN Leaders at the 17th ASEAN Summit in Ha Noi, Viet Nam last October. In addition, they will also attend the ASEAN - China Foreign Ministers Meeting on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of ASEAN — China relations and attend the launching ceremony of “2011 ASEAN — China Friendship and Exchange Year” in Kunming, China.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Road Trip is a Thailand-led initiative which received overwhelming support from other ASEAN Member States. Furthermore, this will be the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ second road trip after the last Road Trip took place in January 2010 along Route 9 from Nakorn Phanom — Savannakhet — Lao Bao — Da Nang.
This road trip will help to further underline the importance that ASEAN member States place on cooperation, both within ASEAN and with its neighbouring countries, one of the main objectives of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity.
Another important objective for this Road Trip is to allow ASEAN Foreign Ministers to personally evaluate and exchange views on issues such as ASEAN Connectivity, opportunities for economic cooperation in the field of trade, investment and tourism, and challenges that may arise from ASEAN Connectivity. During the road trip, ASEAN Foreign Ministers would also visit the construction site of the 4th bridge crossing the Mekong River (Chiang Khong — Houey Xay) along the Thai — Lao PDR border.
During the ASEAN — China Foreign Ministers Meeting, the Foreign Ministers will together attend the launching ceremony of “2011 ASEAN — China Friendship and Exchange Year” which reflects China’s wish to foster the spirit of ASEAN — China friendship and cooperation amongst its peoples, including later generations. In the meeting, the Foreign Ministers would discuss how to enhance ASEAN — China cooperation in the fields of transportation, economic, social, education and people to people linkages. Additionally, the issues of enhancing the effectiveness of the ASEAN — China FTA, existing and emerging regional and global challenges, and the role of ASEAN and China in the 21st Century would also be discussed.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th