On 15 November 2011, Mr. Jullapong Nonsrichai, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the head of the Thai Delegation at the ASEAN Ministerial Meetings prior to the 19th ASEAN Summit, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Secretary General, at Bali Nuasa Dua Convention Center, Bali. On this occasion, the Vice Minister presented ASEAN Secretary General with Thailand’ s Instrument of Ratification to the Third Protocol, amending the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Thailand has already successfully ratified the Third Protocol after Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Minister of Foreign Affairs, signed the Instrument of Ratification on 21 October 2011. When the Third Protocol takes effect, regional organizations such as the European Union, will be able to accede to the Treaty, which will enhance cooperation on the political-security dimension through the mechanism of confidence building.
Currently, 19 out of 28 High Contracting Parties, including the United States, China, Russia and South Korea, have ratified the Third Protocol. During the 19th ASEAN Summit, Brazil also expressed her decision to accede to the TAC.
In this regard, the Vice Minister also discussed ASEAN issues with the ASEAN Secretary General, in particular on disaster management and the flooding situation, which currently affects many ASEAN countries, including Thailand.
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