Bangkok--Mar 17--MFA
On 13 March 2008, Mr. Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a press briefing, gist as follows:
1. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will pay an official visit to the Union of Myanmar on 14 March 2008. The Thai Prime Minister will call on Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as well as meet with General Thein Sein, Prime Minister of Myanmar. The Thai Prime Minister will also preside over the opening ceremony of the new Royal Thai Embassy and meet with Team Thailand and members of the Thai community in Myanmar.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Myanmar is particularly significant in that it takes place after the visit to Myanmar by Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Special Adviser of the United Nations Secretary-General on Myanmar. Issues expected to be discussed include cooperation on border security, particularly to address transborder problems such as illicit drugs and illegal migration, and the opening of more immigration checkpoints to facilitate trade. Economic and energy cooperation will also be raised, including the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) frameworks. The Thai Prime Minister would highlight Thailand’s support for the construction of regional transportation linkages, including the Thailand-Myanmar-India highway and the route from Myawaddy. The visit to Myanmar will build on the Prime Minister’s success in strengthening the relations between Thailand and its neighbouring countries after his visits to the Lao P.D.R. and Cambodia.
Regarding the political situation in Myanmar, Thailand supports democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar, and will pursue a policy of “Neighbour Engagement,” for more interaction and dialogue with the country, while abiding by ASEAN’s principle of non-interference. In this regard, Thailand stands ready to support Myanmar’s referendum on its draft constitution. At the meeting between the Thai Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister U Nyan Win of Myanmar during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Singapore last month, Thailand reiterated its willingness to share with Myanmar its experience in holding a referendum, which Thailand feels should be transparent, credible and inclusive.
2. Regarding the status of Thai crew members of fishing trawlers detained by Indonesian authorities for illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, 19 whose Thai nationality have been confirmed have been released and will arrive back in Thailand this evening (13 March). The Foreign Ministry has assigned the Deputy Director-General of the Consular Affairs Department to receive the crewmen at Suvanabhumi Airport. During the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Singapore on 20 February 2008, the Thai Foreign Minister had taken up this matter with his Indonesian counterpart, who had agreed to see to it that the crewmen were released as soon as possible. Another 89 Thai crewmen continue to be detained in Indonesia awaiting trial.
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-
On 13 March 2008, Mr. Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a press briefing, gist as follows:
1. Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will pay an official visit to the Union of Myanmar on 14 March 2008. The Thai Prime Minister will call on Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), as well as meet with General Thein Sein, Prime Minister of Myanmar. The Thai Prime Minister will also preside over the opening ceremony of the new Royal Thai Embassy and meet with Team Thailand and members of the Thai community in Myanmar.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Myanmar is particularly significant in that it takes place after the visit to Myanmar by Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Special Adviser of the United Nations Secretary-General on Myanmar. Issues expected to be discussed include cooperation on border security, particularly to address transborder problems such as illicit drugs and illegal migration, and the opening of more immigration checkpoints to facilitate trade. Economic and energy cooperation will also be raised, including the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) frameworks. The Thai Prime Minister would highlight Thailand’s support for the construction of regional transportation linkages, including the Thailand-Myanmar-India highway and the route from Myawaddy. The visit to Myanmar will build on the Prime Minister’s success in strengthening the relations between Thailand and its neighbouring countries after his visits to the Lao P.D.R. and Cambodia.
Regarding the political situation in Myanmar, Thailand supports democratization and national reconciliation in Myanmar, and will pursue a policy of “Neighbour Engagement,” for more interaction and dialogue with the country, while abiding by ASEAN’s principle of non-interference. In this regard, Thailand stands ready to support Myanmar’s referendum on its draft constitution. At the meeting between the Thai Foreign Minister and Foreign Minister U Nyan Win of Myanmar during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Singapore last month, Thailand reiterated its willingness to share with Myanmar its experience in holding a referendum, which Thailand feels should be transparent, credible and inclusive.
2. Regarding the status of Thai crew members of fishing trawlers detained by Indonesian authorities for illegal fishing in Indonesian waters, 19 whose Thai nationality have been confirmed have been released and will arrive back in Thailand this evening (13 March). The Foreign Ministry has assigned the Deputy Director-General of the Consular Affairs Department to receive the crewmen at Suvanabhumi Airport. During the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Singapore on 20 February 2008, the Thai Foreign Minister had taken up this matter with his Indonesian counterpart, who had agreed to see to it that the crewmen were released as soon as possible. Another 89 Thai crewmen continue to be detained in Indonesia awaiting trial.
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-