ID :
53202
Tue, 03/31/2009 - 22:38
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/53202
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Thai PM to voice ASEAN's concerns on economy at G-20 summit
BANGKOK, March 31 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Tuesday that he will express the economic concerns of the economic meltdown-impacted Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), during the G20 summit in London later this week.
Speaking to journalists at Suvarnabhumi airport prior to his departure, Mr. Abhisit, accompanied by his wife and senior officials, said his participation at the G20 summit should be considered significant as he will speak about ASEAN’s economy, including Thailand, and international trade in his capacity as the regional group’s chair.
Government leaders attending the G20 summit will realise how serious are the economic problems in the Southeast Asian region, and having this awareness will enable closer coordination between the two groupings of countries, he said.
“My objective is to make the Thai economy recover,” Mr. Abhisit said. “I’ve prepared ASEAN’s common stance and will discuss with Indonesia’s president so that our proposals will be coordinated”.
Thailand and Indonesia, along with Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam comprise the membership of ASEAN.
Mr. Abhisit said he would also discuss bilateral relations with the Australian, Brazilian, South Korean and Chinese leaders on the sidelines of G20 meeting.
ASEAN leaders are scheduled to hold a summit with Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, India, Australia and New Zealand leadership in the Thai resort of Pattaya April 10-12.
On the domestic front, Mr. Abhisit said he is not worried about the current situation in which supporters of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) were still besieging Government House for the sixth day Tuesday.
The government will be patient, adhere to the law and refrain from using violence against the protesters, the prime minister said, adding that he believed that the public will eventually know the truth and understand that the government is not applying the law with a double standard.
So far the protesters have not broken the law but there are attempts to create tension such as spreading news that the military would break up the protest and harm demonstrators, Mr. Abhisit noted.
He said the government would not fall into the trap as it would affect the upcoming meeting between ASEAN and the ‘Plus Six’ countries and his attempts to solve problems facing the country.
China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and New Zealand will attend the meeting scheduled for April 10-12 in Pattaya aimed at addressing the global economic crisis. - (TNA)
Speaking to journalists at Suvarnabhumi airport prior to his departure, Mr. Abhisit, accompanied by his wife and senior officials, said his participation at the G20 summit should be considered significant as he will speak about ASEAN’s economy, including Thailand, and international trade in his capacity as the regional group’s chair.
Government leaders attending the G20 summit will realise how serious are the economic problems in the Southeast Asian region, and having this awareness will enable closer coordination between the two groupings of countries, he said.
“My objective is to make the Thai economy recover,” Mr. Abhisit said. “I’ve prepared ASEAN’s common stance and will discuss with Indonesia’s president so that our proposals will be coordinated”.
Thailand and Indonesia, along with Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam comprise the membership of ASEAN.
Mr. Abhisit said he would also discuss bilateral relations with the Australian, Brazilian, South Korean and Chinese leaders on the sidelines of G20 meeting.
ASEAN leaders are scheduled to hold a summit with Chinese, Japanese, South Korean, India, Australia and New Zealand leadership in the Thai resort of Pattaya April 10-12.
On the domestic front, Mr. Abhisit said he is not worried about the current situation in which supporters of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) were still besieging Government House for the sixth day Tuesday.
The government will be patient, adhere to the law and refrain from using violence against the protesters, the prime minister said, adding that he believed that the public will eventually know the truth and understand that the government is not applying the law with a double standard.
So far the protesters have not broken the law but there are attempts to create tension such as spreading news that the military would break up the protest and harm demonstrators, Mr. Abhisit noted.
He said the government would not fall into the trap as it would affect the upcoming meeting between ASEAN and the ‘Plus Six’ countries and his attempts to solve problems facing the country.
China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India and New Zealand will attend the meeting scheduled for April 10-12 in Pattaya aimed at addressing the global economic crisis. - (TNA)
