On 10-11 December 2009, H.E. Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs joined Foreign Ministers of Bhutan,Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka at the 12th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting hosted by Foreign Minister of Myanmar in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The opening ceremony was presided over by General Thein Sein, Prime Minister of Myanmar. The Prime Minister of Myanmar expressed his gratitude for the active role played by Thailand in hosting the BIMSTEC Center in Thailand which facilitated the coordination as interim mechanism in the absence of a permanent secretariat during the past years.
The Joint Statement adopted by the Ministers reaffirmed the importance of BIMSTEC FTA in promoting trade and investment and enhancing competitiveness and socio-economic development in the region. The Meeting agreed that the improved transportation and communication linkages and greater connectivity are important elements to BIMSTEC process and expressed satisfaction at the endorsement of BIMSTEC Transport Infrastructure and Logistics Study (BTILS) conducted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The Meeting welcomed the proposal for the signing of the Memorandum of Association on the Establishment of the BIMSTEC Energy Centre at the Second BIMSTEC Energy Ministers Meeting to be held in Thailand in March 2010. The Meeting also welcomed Thailand’s offer to host the Second BIMSTEC Meeting on the Network of National Centers of Coordination in Traditional Medicine in 2010. Ministers expressed appreciation for India’s initiative to set up a BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks. The meeting also emphasized the need for early establishment of the BIMSTEC Secretariat. The Meeting also agreed to hold the subsequent, 13th, Ministerial Meeting in Myanmar in 2010.
After the Meeting, BIMSTEC Ministers signed the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking. They also paid a joint courtesy call on Myanmar Prime Minister General Thein Sein at Nay Pyi Taw City Hall. On this occasion, Myanmar Prime Minister hosted a lunch in honour of Head of BIMSTEC Ministerial Delegates.
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