Bangkok--Feb 22--MFA
At the informal welcome dinner hosted by Mr. George Yeo, Singaporean Foreign Minister, on 19 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon exchanged views with his ASEAN counterparts on the future of ASEAN and other current issues such as Myanmar and Kosovo. During the dinner, Foreign Minister Noppadon informed his Myanmar counterpart U Nyan Win that Thailand stood ready to share its experiences with Myanmar on the upcoming referendum and general elections as Thailand successfully held both events in 2007. He stressed, however, that his offer was only on administrative matters and by no means should be interpreted as Thailand’s judgment on the content of Myanmar’s new Constitution. On Kosovo, Foreign Minister Noppadon and other Foreign Ministers agreed that ASEAN would continue to monitor the situation closely and would not issue an official ASEAN statement at this stage.
On 20 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat chaired by Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo. At the Retreat, the ASEAN foreign ministers exchanged views on how to move ASEAN forward as a rule-based and action-oriented organization. Issues discussed include, among others, ratification of the ASEAN Charter, Thailand’s upcoming Chairmanship, and the drafting of blueprints for the ASEAN Political Security and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Communities.
During the meeting, Malaysia, Brunei, and Laos submitted their instruments of ratification to the ASEAN Secretary-General. So far, four countries, including Singapore which submitted its instrument of ratification earlier in the year, have already ratified the Charter. As for Thailand, Foreign Minister Noppadon informed his ASEAN counterparts that Thailand should be able to ratify the Charter by June of this year. He also expressed his confidence that all ten ASEAN members should be able to ratify the Charter by the time Thailand hosts the ASEAN Summit at the end of 2008.
With regards to Thailand’s upcoming Chairmanship, Foreign Minister Noppadon informed the other ASEAN Foreign Ministers that Thailand was ready to assume the Chairmanship for one and a half years, beginning in July 2008. Under the Chairmanship, Thailand will host two summits: the 14th Summit on 15 — 18 December 2008 and the second expected to be at the end of 2009. Should all ten countries ratify the Charter by December, Foreign Minister Noppadon said that a ceremony to commemorate the Charter would be held during the 14th Summit.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
At the informal welcome dinner hosted by Mr. George Yeo, Singaporean Foreign Minister, on 19 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon exchanged views with his ASEAN counterparts on the future of ASEAN and other current issues such as Myanmar and Kosovo. During the dinner, Foreign Minister Noppadon informed his Myanmar counterpart U Nyan Win that Thailand stood ready to share its experiences with Myanmar on the upcoming referendum and general elections as Thailand successfully held both events in 2007. He stressed, however, that his offer was only on administrative matters and by no means should be interpreted as Thailand’s judgment on the content of Myanmar’s new Constitution. On Kosovo, Foreign Minister Noppadon and other Foreign Ministers agreed that ASEAN would continue to monitor the situation closely and would not issue an official ASEAN statement at this stage.
On 20 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat chaired by Singaporean Foreign Minister George Yeo. At the Retreat, the ASEAN foreign ministers exchanged views on how to move ASEAN forward as a rule-based and action-oriented organization. Issues discussed include, among others, ratification of the ASEAN Charter, Thailand’s upcoming Chairmanship, and the drafting of blueprints for the ASEAN Political Security and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Communities.
During the meeting, Malaysia, Brunei, and Laos submitted their instruments of ratification to the ASEAN Secretary-General. So far, four countries, including Singapore which submitted its instrument of ratification earlier in the year, have already ratified the Charter. As for Thailand, Foreign Minister Noppadon informed his ASEAN counterparts that Thailand should be able to ratify the Charter by June of this year. He also expressed his confidence that all ten ASEAN members should be able to ratify the Charter by the time Thailand hosts the ASEAN Summit at the end of 2008.
With regards to Thailand’s upcoming Chairmanship, Foreign Minister Noppadon informed the other ASEAN Foreign Ministers that Thailand was ready to assume the Chairmanship for one and a half years, beginning in July 2008. Under the Chairmanship, Thailand will host two summits: the 14th Summit on 15 — 18 December 2008 and the second expected to be at the end of 2009. Should all ten countries ratify the Charter by December, Foreign Minister Noppadon said that a ceremony to commemorate the Charter would be held during the 14th Summit.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-