On 1 June 2010, Mr. Panich Vikitsreth, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, represented the Thai Foreign Minister to attend the 2nd ASEAN and the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) Ministerial Meeting, at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore. Gist as follows:
Vice Foreign Minister Panich stated that close and cordial relations between Southeast Asia and the Gulf regions have been strengthened for centuries. This marked a rich legacy of ties between the two regions and peoples. In this regard, Thailand will host the 3 rd Asia-Middle East Dialogue in December 2010.
On economic cooperation, Vice Foreign Minister Panich mentioned the global economic crisis that impacted both regions. He viewed that both regions could mutually share information and experience on this matter in order to handle the economic problems in the future. The Vice Foreign Minister also proposed the meeting to expand the connectivity between peoples of the two regions such as public participation by enhancing cooperation on sport to further promote interaction between people-to-people. He also proposed that Thailand will be a co-chair of sectoral working groups on agriculture, food and tourism which are important mechanisms for the ASEAN-GCC Two-Year Action Plan (2010-2012).
Later, the Meeting adopted the Joint Press Statement, which addressed important issues such as South-South cooperation, anti-protectionism, promotion of connectivity between the two regions, people-to-people contacts, global climate change, and food and energy security. In addition, the Meeting agreed to task the Secretariats of the two organizations to explore the possibility of establishment of “ASEAN-GCC Foundation” which will support the development programmes and projects of both regions under the framework of ASEAN-GCC cooperation.
The Meeting also adopted the “Two-Year Action Plan” stipulating that a roundtable discussion be held to explore the possibility of trade agreement. Moreover, the sectoral working groups would be established to follow-up the Action Plan in various areas such as joint venture in food industry, energy, and tourism, as well as cooperation on education, and culture. With regard to the rapid change of global situation, the Meeting agreed to adjust the time line of the ASEAN-GCC Meeting from every two years to an annual event so that it could be able to expedite the important policies and working process to respond to the global challenges.
On this occasion, the Meeting adopted a Joint Statement of Foreign Ministers of ASEAN-GCC Countries regarding the attack by Israeli Forces on an aid vessel, Mavi Marmara, on 31 May 2010. The United Arab Emirates also offered to host the 3rd ASEAN-GCC Ministerial Meeting.
Later in the afternoon, Vice Foreign Minister Panich together with other Heads of Delegation participating in the 2 nd ASEAN-GCC paid a courtesy call on Prime Minsiter Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore at Istana.
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