Foreign Minister gives phone-in interview on the Informal ASEAN Foreign Minister Meeting
On 22 February 2011, at 17.30 hrs., Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya gave a phone-in interview to the media from Jakarta, Indonesia, on the outcome of the Informal Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers. Gist as follows:
The Foreign Minister stated that the meeting discussed two main topics, namely, the recent border situation between Thailand and Cambodia, and other regional and international issues. Regarding the Thai-Cambodian border situation, Thailand and Cambodia both reiterated their commitment to resolve the issue peacefully and through negotiations, which has been given full support from the other eight ASEAN member countries. Meanwhile, ASEAN, through the Indonesian Foreign Minister as the ASEAN chair, would play a facilitating role. Specifically, the outcome of the meeting on this matter could be summed up into two key points.
First, Thailand and Cambodia expressed commitment to each other and to ASEAN to avoid further armed clashes between them. As a reassurance for each other, as well as for ASEAN and the international community, both countries would invite the Government of Indonesia to send 15 observers to respective sides of the Thai-Cambodian border area. In this regard, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry would send letters to the Foreign Ministers of Thailand and of Cambodia to inform the latter of the terms of reference of the said observers, which would likely take into account also the experiences of Thailand’s observers mission to Aceh Province and those of its participation in the United Nations peacekeeping operations in East Timor.
Second, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to resume their bilateral negotiations, especially through the Joint Commission for the Demarcation of Land Boundary (JBC) and the General Border Committee, co-chaired by the defence ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. Indonesia would provide facilitation, with the possibility that Indonesia would invite Thailand and Cambodia to meet in Indonesia.
On regional and international issues, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East and affirmed that they would render one another assistance and cooperation in consular affairs with regard to the ASEAN nationals, especially workers from Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam, in the Middle East countries where protests and clashes continue to take place. This would be along the same line of practice as during the recent evacuation of students from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia from Egypt. Furthermore, the Ministers discussed preparations for various ASEAN activities, such as preparations for the East Asia Summit (EAS), the meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General during the session of the United Nations General Assembly, and coordination regarding meetings with Latin American and Pacific Island countries. They also discussed preparations for the ASEAN Summit, during which each ASEAN government would invite representatives from respective relevant civil society and non-governmental organizations to meet on specific issues, such as public health and education, so as to make such meeting focused. These representatives would also have an opportunity to meet with ASEAN leaders.
During the ensuing Q&A session, Foreign Minister Kasit, asked whether he could elaborate in more details regarding observers from Indonesia to be invited to the Thai-Cambodian border area, said that those observers would be representatives from the military who would come to observe the commitment by both countries to avoid further armed clashes between them. On the Thai side, the Foreign Minister said that he would discuss the matter in more details with the Ministry of Defence, and that Thailand’s relevant experience would also be taken into account when considering Indonesia’s proposal. Asked when the observers would be dispatched, the Foreign Minister said that they could come at the earliest opportunity. As for possible signing of a so-called ceasefire agreement, the Foreign Minister said that this was not necessary since what would be done further has already been reflected in the ASEAN Chairman’s Statement.
In response to the question regarding the Joint Border Commission (JBC) meeting, Foreign Minister Kasit said that this should be held as soon as possible, as both Thailand and Cambodia had agreed, in order to keep the momentum. Possible dates for the meeting would be further coordinated. Nevertheless, since there is a possibility of the meeting being held in Indonesia, the question of when would also be up to Indonesia as well.
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