ID :
48198
Sat, 02/28/2009 - 18:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/48198
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Thai PM: ASEAN to be more people-centred
PHETCHABURI, Feb 28 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday pledged that the10-nation Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) would put people first in its vision, policies and action plans as the region’s leaders began their annual summit with high hopes they would push forward the establishment of a human rights body within this year.
It is the first time for the regional leaders to meet since the group signed its landmark charter in December. The document made the regional association a legal entity and is considered as a key step towards the goal of establishing ASEAN community by 2015.
Thailand, which currently holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship, branded the meeting as a turning point for the regional grouping.
In his opening speech, the Thai prime minister urged the bloc to be more people-centred.
"Protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms is a key feature of our Community. The establishment of an ASEAN human rights body by this year, the first ever of its kind in the region, will be a big step in this direction," Mr. Abhisit said.
ASEAN’s leaders are also expected to sign a declaration on a roadmap for forming a European Union-style community by 2015.
They will also discuss a US$120 billion emergency fund agreed on by the ASEAN+3 finance ministers meeting in Thailand's southern province of Phuket last weekend.
Asia's three economic powerhouses, Japan, South Korea and China, agreed in principle to provide some 80 per cent of the funds.
The Thai prime minister said he hoped that the summit would be able to agree on a "Cha-am/Hua Hin Package" which he said "will serve as the stepping stone for a series of regional initiatives, to be developed in concert with other countries in East Asia, to help address the impact of the global financial crisis in the region."
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. (TNA)
It is the first time for the regional leaders to meet since the group signed its landmark charter in December. The document made the regional association a legal entity and is considered as a key step towards the goal of establishing ASEAN community by 2015.
Thailand, which currently holds ASEAN's rotating chairmanship, branded the meeting as a turning point for the regional grouping.
In his opening speech, the Thai prime minister urged the bloc to be more people-centred.
"Protection and promotion of human rights and fundamental freedoms is a key feature of our Community. The establishment of an ASEAN human rights body by this year, the first ever of its kind in the region, will be a big step in this direction," Mr. Abhisit said.
ASEAN’s leaders are also expected to sign a declaration on a roadmap for forming a European Union-style community by 2015.
They will also discuss a US$120 billion emergency fund agreed on by the ASEAN+3 finance ministers meeting in Thailand's southern province of Phuket last weekend.
Asia's three economic powerhouses, Japan, South Korea and China, agreed in principle to provide some 80 per cent of the funds.
The Thai prime minister said he hoped that the summit would be able to agree on a "Cha-am/Hua Hin Package" which he said "will serve as the stepping stone for a series of regional initiatives, to be developed in concert with other countries in East Asia, to help address the impact of the global financial crisis in the region."
ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. (TNA)
