On 20 July 2010, the second day of the 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting and Related Meetings in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, along with other ASEAN Foreign Ministers and the Secretary-General of ASEAN paid a courtesy call on Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam prior to the Opening Ceremony of the 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM). Later, Foreign Minister Kasit attended the AMM (Retreat and Plenary Sessions).
Following the Meetings, Foreign Minister Kasit briefed members of media on some of the issues discussed as follows:
1. ASEAN Connectivity — The Meeting welcomed the progress report of the High Level Task Force on ASEAN Connectivity and the drafting of the master plan to carry out the task, stressing the need to take account on-going projects under the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and other frameworks to ensure closer coordination and avoid duplication. Among issues to be considered in the master plan are sources of funding and cooperation from various countries such as China and Japan. Furthermore, the Meeting was of the view that apart from connectivity in the transportation, energy and information technology, ASEAN member countries will have to take into account the importance of cross-border facilitation for both peoples and goods between countries in the region. Moreover, the Meeting agreed upon the proposal made by Foreign Minister Kasit to arrange a road trip for ASEAN Foreign Ministers along the R3E route from Thailand via Laos to Kunming.
2. Cyclone Nargis — The Meeting noted the success of the ASEAN Humanitarian Task Force for the Victims of the Cyclone Nargis (AHTF) in Myanmar, whose mandate together with the Tripartite Core Group (TCG), would end on 31 July 2010. In this connection, the Government of Myanmar would assume responsibility for further coordination and utilization of assistance from the international community in August. In stressing the importance of humanitarian assistance during times of natural disasters, the Meeting also agreed to expedite the establishment of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) in Jakarta, Indonesia.
3. Regional Architecture — The Meeting was of the view that ASEAN integration and community building should be accelerated while ASEAN external relations should be broaden and deepen with the principle of ASEAN centrality. In this connection, the Meeting welcomed the interest expressed by the United States and Russia to participate in the East Asia Summit (EAS), the modality and timing for which would be further discussed.
4. TAC and ASEAN external relations — The Meeting welcomed accession by Canada and Turkey to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). Discussions were also held on preparations for the convening of the 2nd ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting later this year, the 2nd ASEAN-Russia Summit, the ASEAN-Australian Summit, the 3rd ASEAN-UN Summit and the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit back-to-back with the 17th ASEAN Summit in October in Ha Noi, as well as the Commemorative Summit with China in 2011 and with India in 2012.
5. Co-hosting FIFA World Cup - The Meeting discussed the possibility of ASEAN member countries jointly hosting the FIFA World Cup in the future.
6. Myanmar — The Meeting took note of the latest developments and progress made in implementing the roadmap for national reconciliation, including preparations for general election following the registering of political parties. The possibility of sending delegations to observe the general election was also raised. On Thailand’s part, the Foreign Minister expressed hope that the general election would be free, fair and inclusive, leading to a multiparty democracy in Myanmar.
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