Bangkok--Jun 6--MFA
On 2 June 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama delivered a speech on “Thailand and the Emerging Asia” at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), during which he spoke about the re-emergence of Asia and his optimism about its future.
In his speech, the Foreign Minister talked about the economic development and modernization of Asia and its various sub-regions: from Southeast Asia to South Asia, from Central Asia to West Asia. As a result, Asia has re-emerged as one of the global economic growth poles, with the largest production and reserves of oil and as the world’s largest exporter of rice and many other foodstuffs. He thus believed that this emerging Asia could contribute to the promotion of human security of its peoples and to enhanced engagement with the world.
And it is to this emerging Asia that Thailand stands ready to contribute, given that the Kingdom is back on track as a vibrant democracy, its commitment to an open, competitive and business-friendly economy, and its geographical position at the heart of Southeast Asia making it a natural hub for all economic activities in the region and beyond.
The Foreign Minister also informed the audience that as the incoming Chair of ASEAN in July this year, Thailand will try to make ASEAN more rules-based, people-centred, action-oriented and effective as well as more engaged with the outside world.
As for challenges that needed to be tackled, the Foreign Minister talked about natural disasters, given the recent devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, the challenge of food security, and that of energy security.
In tackling these and other challenges, he called for Asia and Europe to work closer together as partners.
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 2 June 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama delivered a speech on “Thailand and the Emerging Asia” at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), during which he spoke about the re-emergence of Asia and his optimism about its future.
In his speech, the Foreign Minister talked about the economic development and modernization of Asia and its various sub-regions: from Southeast Asia to South Asia, from Central Asia to West Asia. As a result, Asia has re-emerged as one of the global economic growth poles, with the largest production and reserves of oil and as the world’s largest exporter of rice and many other foodstuffs. He thus believed that this emerging Asia could contribute to the promotion of human security of its peoples and to enhanced engagement with the world.
And it is to this emerging Asia that Thailand stands ready to contribute, given that the Kingdom is back on track as a vibrant democracy, its commitment to an open, competitive and business-friendly economy, and its geographical position at the heart of Southeast Asia making it a natural hub for all economic activities in the region and beyond.
The Foreign Minister also informed the audience that as the incoming Chair of ASEAN in July this year, Thailand will try to make ASEAN more rules-based, people-centred, action-oriented and effective as well as more engaged with the outside world.
As for challenges that needed to be tackled, the Foreign Minister talked about natural disasters, given the recent devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, the challenge of food security, and that of energy security.
In tackling these and other challenges, he called for Asia and Europe to work closer together as partners.
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-