Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Thailand’s Head of Delegation, announced Thailand’s readiness to tackle global challenges at the 10th Asia — Europe Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEM FMM 10) in Godollo, Hungary between 6 — 7 June 2011, which was held under the theme of “Working Together on Non-Traditional Security Challenges”.
ASEM FMM 10 convened Foreign Ministers and representatives from 46 Asian countries, European countries, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the EU Commission, whereby the issue of non-traditional security challenges was widely discussed. The recent natural crisis in several countries, especially in Japan, raised awareness among member states about the importance of cooperation to enhance preventive measures and management of natural disaster, as well as nuclear safety. The paramount necessity for cooperation on certain non-traditional security challenges was underlined, especially in the areas of climate change, food and energy security, terrorism, and piracy. Views and experiences were exchanged regarding directions for recovery from the economic crisis and encouragement of sustainable development. Developments in the Middle East and North Africa, which bore witness to protests against the current leaders, were also a main issue in the discussions, particularly since it affected global economic, political and energy security.
On Thailand’s part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated Thailand’s role as a donor country and readiness to provide humanitarian assistance to the international community, especially since Thailand is a major food producer with strong economic potential. He also proposed the use of facilities at Utapao Airport to support the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Centre in Jakarta, Indonesia and the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center.
The Foreign Minister also expressed Thailand’s wish to cooperate not only with other ASEM member states, but also with international organizations such as the World Food Programme to promote food security through measures such as the sharing of knowledge and experiences from His Majesty the King’s Royal Projects. Thailand also desires to carry out rice swap arrangement and to establish the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve. This could be done, the Foreign Minister said, though trilateral cooperation as well as under various subregional frameworks.
At present, the Asian economy, especially the South East Asian economy, has grown with dynamism, strength and stability, a result of Asia’s experience in resolving the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis. As a consequence, the Foreign Minister proposed a meeting to share Asia’s experiences in handling and preparing against similar economic crisis. Thailand, in particular, has seen continuous economic growth even though it has had to handle not only the recent global economic crisis, but also internal political problems. Thailand’s resilient economy is a strong testament to Thailand’s strong economic foundation. In addition, ASEM FMM 10 also noted that Thailand would be the host of the Asia-Europe Conference on Balanced Mobility, in order to promote education cooperation between Asia and Europe in November 2011.
This year, the Asia-Europe Meeting celebrates its 15th anniversary after the first ASEM Summit was held in Bangkok in 1996. At present, ASEM comprises a membership of 46 countries, including 27 countries from the European Union, 16 countries from Asia, 3 new members, and 2 organizations (the ASEAN Secretariat and the European Commission). ASEM is intended as a forum for dialogue and cooperation in its 3 main pillars of politics, economics, and social/cultural/educational cooperation. Each member state can choose to host activities or initiate cooperation in accordance with their expertise in order to promote understanding, share experiences and best practices, and cooperation.
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