Ambassadors and Charges d'Affaires of ASEAN member countries to Thailand paid a courtesy call on Mr. Kasit Piromya, the new Foreign Minister, to congratulate him on his assumption of office. On 26 December 2008, the Ambassadors and Charges d’Affaires of ASEAN member countries to Thailand paid a courtesy call on Mr. Kasit Piromya, the new Foreign Minister, to congratulate him on his assumption of office. Foreign Minister Kasit thanked the ASEAN envoys and exchanged views with them on various issues, particularly those related to the ASEAN as Thailand is the current ASEAN Chair. He stated that Thailand would strengthen bilateral relations with ASEAN member countries to enhance common prosperity and happiness of the peoples in the region. The ASEAN envoys expressed their appreciation to the development of political situation and the formation of the new government of Thailand. They stated that Thailand holds an important role as Chairman of ASEAN, especially during the new chapter of the history of ASEAN with the entry into force of the ASEAN Charter. They looked forward to attending the 14th ASEAN Summit in Thailand and to closely working with and supporting Thailand to enhance and strengthen regional as well as bilateral cooperation. Foreign Minister Kasit emphasized that Thailand, as the ASEAN Chair, would play an active role in strengthening relationship within ASEAN by working closely with other member countries through security, economic and social cooperation and related issues in the areas of human security, food security, energy security, financial security, transnational crime and disaster management. The ASEAN should realize its commonalities and work out on its differences. With regards to the ASEAN Summit venue and schedule, the Thai Foreign Minister stated that Thailand intends to hold the Summit in Bangkok in February 2009, but is still waiting for countries concerned to confirm the date which would be either during 20-22 February or 27 February - 1 March 2009.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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