ID :
46638
Fri, 02/20/2009 - 10:03
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/46638
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ASEAN, G-20 focus as Thai PM visits Indonesia
BANGKOK, Feb 20 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva left Bangkok for Jakarta Friday morning for an official visit February 20-21 to foster cooperation in the fisheries industry and consult on approaches to resolving Thailand's insurgency problem in the southern border provinces.
The visit to Indonesia is Mr. Abhisit's second trip to visit an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member, having officially visited Laos on January 23.
Mr. Abhisit earlier said he would discuss the upcoming G-20 London meeting on April 2 with Indonesian leaders as that country is a G-20 member. The Thai prime minister has been invited to represent ASEAN and participate in the G-20 as Thailand is now chair of ASEAN.
The G-20 -- the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- is a pivotal forum for ministers and bankers from 20 economies: 19 of the world's 25 largest national economies, plus the European Union (EU).
As an informal forum promoting open, constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability, the G-20 offers an unusual opportunity for Mr. Abhisit to represent both ASEAN and Thailand.
Mr. Abhisit carries ASEAN's hope for a higher and more articulate presence within the corridors of the G-20.
In Jakarta, the Thai prime minister said, he will affirm the good relations between Thailand and Indonesia, who are celebrating the 60th anniversary in 2010 of their establishing diplomatic relations in 1950.
Important bilateral issues to be discussed in Indonesia include economic cooperation, Mr. Abhisit said.
Apart from cooperation within the ASEAN framework, the Thai premier said, Thailand also cooperates with Indonesia in the context of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework.
The IMT triangle was established in 1993 to promote growth under a trilateral scheme of sub-regional economic cooperation.
Regarding the insurgency in Thailand's southernmost provinces, Mr. Abhisit said Indonesia as the world's most populous Muslim country has played an important role in explaining Thailand's position to Islamic countries.
Indonesia also is offering Thailand its own experience in insurgencies in Aceh and Western Papua (Irian Jaya) to Thailand, the prime minister said, adding that Indonesia and Thailand also share technical cooperation and exchange of educators, especially religious teachers and students, which could also be a factor in bringing peace to Thailand's southern border provinces.
Mr. Abhisit added talks would also be held on fisheries cooperation to benefit both countries. Thai policy is to cooperate with Indonesia responsibly, encouraging Thai fisheries to respect Indonesian rules and regulations.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, Mr. Abhisit said Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had visited Indonesia February 10-11 and agreed to continue sharing information and cooperating.
The regionally impacting issue of the flow of migrants will be discussed to some extent on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Thailand, he said. Although the Rohingya issue has not made it to the official agenda.
"I hope to have a fruitful visit to Indonesia -- particularly in regards to cooperation in fisheries and the southern insurgency. It would be a good foundation to create joint economic, political and social opportunity in the future," the prime minister said.
Although Thailand currently chairs ASEAN, Indonesia has a leadership role as a co-founder of the regional grouping and hosted the Bandung Conference of 29 Asian and African nations in 1955 in the first meeting large international convening of non-western states.
Mr. Abhisit said he would try to meet ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan in Jakarta to discuss post-ASEAN Charter adoption cooperation. (TNA)
The visit to Indonesia is Mr. Abhisit's second trip to visit an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member, having officially visited Laos on January 23.
Mr. Abhisit earlier said he would discuss the upcoming G-20 London meeting on April 2 with Indonesian leaders as that country is a G-20 member. The Thai prime minister has been invited to represent ASEAN and participate in the G-20 as Thailand is now chair of ASEAN.
The G-20 -- the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- is a pivotal forum for ministers and bankers from 20 economies: 19 of the world's 25 largest national economies, plus the European Union (EU).
As an informal forum promoting open, constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability, the G-20 offers an unusual opportunity for Mr. Abhisit to represent both ASEAN and Thailand.
Mr. Abhisit carries ASEAN's hope for a higher and more articulate presence within the corridors of the G-20.
In Jakarta, the Thai prime minister said, he will affirm the good relations between Thailand and Indonesia, who are celebrating the 60th anniversary in 2010 of their establishing diplomatic relations in 1950.
Important bilateral issues to be discussed in Indonesia include economic cooperation, Mr. Abhisit said.
Apart from cooperation within the ASEAN framework, the Thai premier said, Thailand also cooperates with Indonesia in the context of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework.
The IMT triangle was established in 1993 to promote growth under a trilateral scheme of sub-regional economic cooperation.
Regarding the insurgency in Thailand's southernmost provinces, Mr. Abhisit said Indonesia as the world's most populous Muslim country has played an important role in explaining Thailand's position to Islamic countries.
Indonesia also is offering Thailand its own experience in insurgencies in Aceh and Western Papua (Irian Jaya) to Thailand, the prime minister said, adding that Indonesia and Thailand also share technical cooperation and exchange of educators, especially religious teachers and students, which could also be a factor in bringing peace to Thailand's southern border provinces.
Mr. Abhisit added talks would also be held on fisheries cooperation to benefit both countries. Thai policy is to cooperate with Indonesia responsibly, encouraging Thai fisheries to respect Indonesian rules and regulations.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, Mr. Abhisit said Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had visited Indonesia February 10-11 and agreed to continue sharing information and cooperating.
The regionally impacting issue of the flow of migrants will be discussed to some extent on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Thailand, he said. Although the Rohingya issue has not made it to the official agenda.
"I hope to have a fruitful visit to Indonesia -- particularly in regards to cooperation in fisheries and the southern insurgency. It would be a good foundation to create joint economic, political and social opportunity in the future," the prime minister said.
Although Thailand currently chairs ASEAN, Indonesia has a leadership role as a co-founder of the regional grouping and hosted the Bandung Conference of 29 Asian and African nations in 1955 in the first meeting large international convening of non-western states.
Mr. Abhisit said he would try to meet ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan in Jakarta to discuss post-ASEAN Charter adoption cooperation. (TNA)
