On 26 May 2010, Mrs. Chitriya Pinthong, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, represented Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, to head the Thai delegation to attend the 18th ASEN-EU Ministerial Meeting, held under the theme “Partners in Regional Integration” in Madrid, Spain. The participants of the Meeting included Foreign Ministers or representatives from 10 ASEAN and 27 EU member countries, together with the ASEAN Secretary-General and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice President of the European Commission.
The Meeting reviewed the ASEAN-EU enhanced partnership in various areas and discussed future direction of their cooperation, in the light of the entries into force of the ASEAN Charter in 2008 and the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009 that brought significant structural changes in both regions in becoming more unified entities.
On this occasion, the Head of Thai Delegation gave a comment, on behalf of ASEAN, regarding the development of the EU that ASEAN was delighted to exchange views and learn more from the best practices of the EU in terms of regional integration, regional connectivity and developing a greater sense of ASEAN citizenry.
As for the ASEAN development, Thailand emphasized the significance of “regional connectivity” which Thailand has played an active role on this matter since the Kingdom was the ASEAN Chair last year. The Thai side also pointed out that the enhancing of regional connectivity in the areas of infrastructure and cross-border facilitation would reduce the economic gap among ASEAN member countries and strengthen the realization of the ASEAN Community. The EU responded with keen interest on the matter and stood ready to share its experience on regional banking system, particularly financial modalities, with ASEAN which would complement the regional development.
Apart from the aforesaid issues, the Meeting also discussed other global security challenges such as non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), fight against terrorism, world economic recovery, as well as climate change and environment.
The ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) has been one of the important mechanisms in forging the relationship between the two regions. The EU was an informal dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1972 and later became a formal dialogue partner in 1977. Both sides have continuously enjoyed their cordial cooperation in political, economic, and socio-cultural aspects up to the present day.
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