On 14 December 2008, Dr. Mun Patanotai, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, in his capacity as Special Envoy of the Royal Thai Government to the Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 15 December 2008, gave a press briefing on the result of the discussion of the Foreign Ministers and representatives from ASEAN Member States conducted during a dinner held on the eve of the Special ASEAN Foreign Minitsers’ Meeting. Gist as follows.
1. The main objective of this working dinner was to discuss among ASEAN Member States a new mutually convenient dates for the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which the Thai Cabinet had postponed to March next year.
2. As the ASEAN Chair and host of this gathering, Dr. Mun briefed his colleagues on the positive developments on Thailand’s current political situation, including the fact that the Thai Parliament had scheduled to vote for a new Prime Minister on 15 December 2008. Mr. Mun also reiterated Thailand’s readiness and flexibility to convene the 14th ASEAN Summit in Thailand at the earliest opportunity, as suggested by a number of ASEAN Member States, as soon as a new government was able to fully perform its duties.
3. After listening to the explanation by the Thai side, the Foreign Ministers and representatives from ASEAN Member States expressed their understanding for Thailand’s decision to postpone the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits as well as their confidence in Thailand as ASEAN Chair and host of the Summit.
4. Given the fact that amidst the global financial crisis, an early Summit was needed, the Meeting initially explored the possibility of convening of the ASEAN Summit in January. Due to some scheduling inconveniences by some Member States, however, the Meeting concluded that to convene the Summit in the latter half of February was more practical. As a result, the Meeting tentatively agreed that the 14th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits take place by the end of February next year.
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.