On 12 December 2008, Mr. Vithavas Srivihok, Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs, held a press briefing on the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting to be convened on 15 December 2008 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia. Gist as follows:
1. Thailand, in its capacity as the ASEAN Chair, in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat, will host a special meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers on 15 December 2008 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.
2. For Thailand, the main objective of the meeting is to discuss with other ASEAN member countries a new mutually convenient dates to convene the 14th ASEAN Summit and other related meetings in Thailand. Earlier, Thailand had reaffirmed its readiness and flexibility to hold the Summits at the earliest dates as soon as a new government was able to fully perform its duties.
3. The Meeting also coincides with the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter on 15 December 2008. As a result, ASEAN member countries will arrange an event to celebrate the Charter’s entry into force. In the event, ‘The ASEAN Way’, a new ASEAN anthem, will be performed. The ASEAN Way is composed by 3 Thai nationals, namely, Mr. Kittikhun Sodprasert, Mr. Sampao Triudom and Mrs. Payom Valaiphatchra and was selected as the ASEAN Anthem by the ASEAN Anthem Adjudicators’ Panel on 20 November 2008.
4. Apart from the rescheduling of the 14th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, the Meeting will consider how to operationalise new ASEAN organs stipulated in the ASEAN Charter, such as the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, the ASEAN Coordinating Council and the 3 ASEAN Community Councils comprising the ASEAN Political-Secrutiy Community Council, ASEAN Economic Community Council and ASEAN—Socio-Cultural Community Council.
Mr. Vithavas also took this opportunity to brief the press on his meeting with Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, Leader of the Democrat Party and Opposition Leader, which took place this morning (12 December). During the meeting, Mr. Abhisit expressed his full support for the conduct of work of Thailand as the ASEAN Chair. He also concurred with the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the 14th ASEAN Summit be held in Thailand at the earliest opportunity as soon as a new government is able to fully perform its duties.
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.