On 27 September 2011, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul attended the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM) with the President of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) as well as the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends (GoF) of the UNSG on Myanmar. Gist as follows:
In the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting with Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Qatar to the United Nations and President of the 66 Session of the UNGA, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Foreign Minister Surapong was the lead speaker on behalf of ASEAN on the peacekeeping issue. In this connection, Foreign Minister Surapong stressed the importance of cooperation between ASEAN and UN on peacekeeping. To date, nearly 5,000 military and police officers from ASEAN member states have actively participated in the UN peacekeeping missions on which ASEAN would continue its full support.
Foreign Minister Surapong also reaffirmed that ASEAN attached importance on other measures in solving disputes such as mediation, observation of implementation of peace agreements, peaceful resolutions and peace building after conflict which would resolve conflicts peacefully and lead to sustainable peace. He also stated that ASEAN was encouraging the setting up of a network among existing peacekeeping centers in ASEAN member countries to conduct activities on trainings and exchanging experiences. In the longer term, ASEAN may consider the possibility of establishing standby arrangements under ASEAN’s framework to support peacekeeping activities.
Additionally, as the regional hub for UN and other international organizations, Foreign Minister Surapong reiterated that Thailand stood ready to act as a coordinator between ASEAN and the UN on peace and other issues of common interest and concern.
Regarding the Ministerial Meeting of GoF of UNSG on Myanmar, which was a stage for discussion on several approaches which the UN and other countries could assist Myanmar in continuing its development during the transition period, Foreign Minister Surapong suggested that taking into account Myanmar’s continuing positive development, the international community should play an active role in assisting Myanmar to move forward. With the UNSG and UN agencies’ support, the international community should provided assistance in equally distributing development to the people of Myanmar in three main areas: income, public health and education -- areas in which Thailand has actively provided assistance and would continue to support Myanmar. The Kingdom stood ready to cooperate with other interested countries on this matter.
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