PM to Support ASEAN Cooperation

BANGKOK, June 22 (TNA) -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has extended his support to build international cooperation which would eventually lead to practice, especially on security and transnational crimes, while he is expected to support the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) during the 34th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. According to a deputy spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office, During the two-day 34th ASEAN Summit to be held in the Thai capital of Bangkok, starting today, Gen Prayut has attached importance to the two major issues which would ultimately affect national and regional stability. It needs cooperation from every country which could cope with any situation such as the trade conflict between the US and China and, according to the deputy spokesman, it requires an immune for the 10-nation ASEAN. Host Thailand will also push for ASEAN culture for digital which is designed to create equal technology in this region and maximum benefit during the Summit, said the deputy spokesman. Other significant issues which Gen Prayut determine to make them realise include a development toward the RCEP within the end of this year. The RCEP mega-trade pact involves 16 nations, including ASEAN countries plus India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Outcome documents, expected to be signed by the ASEAN leaders include the ASEAN Leaders Vision on Partnership for Sustainability, the Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris, the ASEAN Leaders Statement on ASEAN Cultural Year for 2019, and ASEAN Indo-Pacific Outlook, said the deputy spokesman. The Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the ASEAN region was proposed by the ASEAN member countries’ environmental affairs ministers who met in Bangkok in early March this year for the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Marine Debris. If the combat on marine debris is approved during the Summit, it will be later submitted to the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, the deputy spokesman added. (TNA)