On 19 September 2011, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul gave a media interview after arriving in New York to attend the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and other related meetings. Gist as follows:
1. During the 66th Session of the UNGA, the Foreign Minister will deliver a statement in the general debate outlining the new Thai Government’s policies, with a view to, among other things, restore foreign confidence in the Kingdom. In this connection, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also prepared press kits with information on the new Thai Government’s policies in different areas for distribution.
2. The Foreign Minister will also attend other meetings held on the sidelines of the UNGA, such as the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to discuss preparations for the 19th ASEAN Summit in Bali, Indonesia in November 2011. In this connection, the Thai Government wishes to reduce tensions within the region and enhance cooperation with neighbouring countries in ASEAN. In addition, the Thai Government hopes that ASEAN member states would move forward together and that ASEAN would become a model for other regional groupings. Furthermore, issues on cooperation on various issues, including the fight against transnational crime and narcotics would be discussed during the Meeting.
3. The Foreign Minister will also hold bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary-General as well as with his counterparts from other countries, including those from the People’s Republic of China, Germany, Russia, Portugal, Mongolia, Israel, Ukraine and Myanmar. The bilateral meetings will focus on cooperation to increase bilateral trade and investment as the Foreign Minister has been assigned by the Prime Minister to explore further business opportunities and promote agricultural products in overseas markets as well as to promote cooperation on new technologies and technological transfer.
4. In response to media inquiries regarding the draft resolution on the recognition of the State of Palestine, Thailand has not yet endorsed it and would have to first consider the draft resolution once it has been formally submitted to the General Assembly. The Cabinet would also have to formally give its endorsement on issues related to recognition.
5. The Foreign Minister also spoke about the allegations recently made by Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Leader of the Opposition, that the current Thai Government had not yet undertaken any steps to comply with the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s order regarding the provisional measures imposed on Thailand and Cambodia. The Foreign Minister denied the allegations made, noting that he had already asked all the relevant agencies to examine the ICJ’s orders carefully. Moreover, the Foreign Ministry has consulted the Ministry of Defence and other related agencies in formulating the Government’s position on the matter, which would be submitted to the National Security Council and subsequently the Cabinet for their consideration. At the same time, the Thai Government has also been working closely with the Cambodian and the Indonesian Governments on the issue, which reflects Thailand’s efforts on this matter. On the issue of the interpretation of the ICJ’s judgment on Phra Viharn, Thailand would send its written observation to the ICJ in November.
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