ASEAN+3 to convene in Phuket in April

BANGKOK, March 3 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday that the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and three other Asian countries -- China, Japan and South Korea -- will hold a three-day summit on the southern resort island of Phuket next month.

Mr. Abhisit said the summit will be held from April 10-12.

Finance ministers from ASEAN and the three northeast Asian economic powerhouses met in Phuket two weeks ago when they agreed to increase the official contingency reserves pool aimed at helping member economies facing financial trouble to US$120 billion from the $80 billion agreed earlier.

Dates on holding the ASEAN+3 summit will not be changed as they coincide with the long holiday celebrating Thailand’s Songkran or traditional New Year festival which takes place from April 13-15, the prime minister said.

The leaders of both ASEAN and the Plus-Three countries will attend the April meeting in Phuket, Mr. Abhisit said, even though having just concluded their summit in Thai seaside resort of Cha-am on Sunday.

“Phuket is an ideal place for holding the meeting as it has an international airport and sufficient facilities.

Mr. Abhisit said ASEAN+6 -- the 13 plus India, Australia and New Zealand – will meet in Bangkok in October.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (TNA)