On 23 November 2009, Mr. Piero Fassino, European Union Special Envoy for Myanmar, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya to exchange views on the Myanmar issue. The meeting was also attended by the Swedish Ambassador, the Spanish Charge d’ Affaires, and the Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Commission to Thailand as the EU Troika.
Foreign Minister Kasit welcomed recent developments in Myanmar, including the recent visit to Myanmar of Mr. Kurt Campbell, US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, the meeting between Myanmar Prime Minister and US President during the 1st ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting last week in Singapore and Myanmar Prime Minister’s commitment to organize a free, fair, inclusive, and transparent general election in 2010 during the 15th ASEAN Summit in Cha-Am - Hua Hin. The Thai Foreign Minister also stressed the readiness of the ASEAN member countries to cooperate with Myanmar in areas of capacity building in the organization and management of elections. He opined that the 2010 election in Myanmar would be a significant turning point for ASEAN which is moving towards and ASEAN Community in 2015. He also urged the EU to engage more with Myanmar and increase its presence in Myanmar.
The Special Envoy reiterated the EU’s readiness to provide assistance and support to make the election in Myanmar free, fair and inclusive. He emphasized the EU‘s wishes to have a constructive dialogue with all parties concerned in order to enhance cooperation and increase engagement with Myanmar. In addition, Mr. Fassino affirmed the EU’s close consultation with ASEAN on Myanmar and expressed hope that the general election would be a stepping stone for the national reconciliation in Myanmar.
Mr. Fassino is a former Italy’s Foreign Minister and Member of Parliament for three consecutive terms. He was appointed by Mr. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, a Special Envoy for Myanmar since 2007.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th