ID :
25779
Tue, 10/21/2008 - 16:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/25779
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Thai PM sees possible bilateral talks with Cambodian PM at ASEM summit
BANGKOK, Oct 21 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said he expected to have an opportunity for bilateral talks with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen to discuss the two countries' ongoing border dispute on the sidelines of the Asia and European Union (ASEM) leaders summit that opens in Beijing on Friday.
The Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 7) will be held in Beijing October
24-25.
Mr. Somchai said it would be good opportunity if he could hold talks over
the disputes with Cambodia's Premier Hun Sen.
Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said he was seeking
the right time for Thai and Cambodian leaders to meet during the summit.
It would depend on adjusting time during the hectic schedule of the
summit, he said, adding that the best possible chance would be during the
evening of October 24.
An adviser to the Cambodian prime minister said Monday that Mr. Hun Sen
planned to meet with Mr. Somchai during the summit and that the current
stand off at the Cambodian-Thai border will be the most important topic of
their talks.
The meeting would be the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders
since a deadly gunbattle erupted October 15 between Thai and Cambodian
soldiers at a disputed border area near the ancient Khmer Preah Vihear
temple.
One Thai soldier and two Cambodian soldiers died as a result of the clash.
ASEM 7 summit will be the first gathering of leaders of 45 Asian and
European partners since its second round of enlargement in 2006.
The overarching theme of ASEM 7 is 'Vision and Action: Towards a Win-Win
Solution'.
During the summit ASEM leaders will focus their discussions on political,
economic, social and cultural issues, including issues related to
sustainable development.
The summit will provide a good opportunity for expanding and deepening
dialogue on an equal footing and mutually-beneficial cooperation between
Asia and Europe to ensure win-win progress for the benefit of peoples of
ASEM partners, according to the event's organisers. (TNA)
The Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 7) will be held in Beijing October
24-25.
Mr. Somchai said it would be good opportunity if he could hold talks over
the disputes with Cambodia's Premier Hun Sen.
Meanwhile, Thai Foreign Minister Sompong Amornvivat said he was seeking
the right time for Thai and Cambodian leaders to meet during the summit.
It would depend on adjusting time during the hectic schedule of the
summit, he said, adding that the best possible chance would be during the
evening of October 24.
An adviser to the Cambodian prime minister said Monday that Mr. Hun Sen
planned to meet with Mr. Somchai during the summit and that the current
stand off at the Cambodian-Thai border will be the most important topic of
their talks.
The meeting would be the first face-to-face talks between the two leaders
since a deadly gunbattle erupted October 15 between Thai and Cambodian
soldiers at a disputed border area near the ancient Khmer Preah Vihear
temple.
One Thai soldier and two Cambodian soldiers died as a result of the clash.
ASEM 7 summit will be the first gathering of leaders of 45 Asian and
European partners since its second round of enlargement in 2006.
The overarching theme of ASEM 7 is 'Vision and Action: Towards a Win-Win
Solution'.
During the summit ASEM leaders will focus their discussions on political,
economic, social and cultural issues, including issues related to
sustainable development.
The summit will provide a good opportunity for expanding and deepening
dialogue on an equal footing and mutually-beneficial cooperation between
Asia and Europe to ensure win-win progress for the benefit of peoples of
ASEM partners, according to the event's organisers. (TNA)
