ID :
71815
Thu, 07/23/2009 - 19:41
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http://m.oananews.org//node/71815
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Thailand hails success of ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, ARF
PHUKET, July 23 (TNA) – Thailand's Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasit Piromya called the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers (AMM) and the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meetings at Thailand’s famed resort of Phuket as successful gatherings.
"Over the course of the past five days, we were able to agree upon key issues paving way for a more effective and rules-based ASEAN,” Mr. Kasit told a press conference as AMM and ARF concluded.
He reported that the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council adopted its own ‘rules of procedure’ which he said will serve as a model for the future ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Councils.
The draft Agreement on Privilege and Immunity of ASEAN has also been endorsed and the discussion on establishing an ASEAN dispute resolution mechanism has made progress, both key elements in conferring a legal personality to ASEAN.
He added that adopting Terms of Reference for the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, on the other hand, provides the regional group with a platform for advancing its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights.
"The launching of this important body will be a testimony to our resolve to make ASEAN a ‘Community of Peoples’, he said.
Mr. Kasit noted that the accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by the United States on Wednesday, together with the signing of the two memoranda on ASEAN-Australian and ASEAN-Russian cooperation, underscored ASEAN enhanced partnership with external partners.
The outcome of the Phuket deliberations will be further developed when the ASEAN leaders meet again at the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in October this year, he said.
In the meantime, he said, cooperation will continue to grow so ASEAN to respond more effectively to challenges, whether the financial and economic crisis, food and energy security, or potential pandemics.
Mr. Kasit said the task ahead will not be easy but with strong determination and a spirit of cooperation, ASEAN could collectively do it.
"I am confident that by the time we pass on this same (chairmanship) torch to Viet Nam six months from now, ASEAN will be on course to becoming a more action-oriented and better-connected community for the benefit of our peoples" he said. (TNA)
"Over the course of the past five days, we were able to agree upon key issues paving way for a more effective and rules-based ASEAN,” Mr. Kasit told a press conference as AMM and ARF concluded.
He reported that the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council adopted its own ‘rules of procedure’ which he said will serve as a model for the future ASEAN Economic Community and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Councils.
The draft Agreement on Privilege and Immunity of ASEAN has also been endorsed and the discussion on establishing an ASEAN dispute resolution mechanism has made progress, both key elements in conferring a legal personality to ASEAN.
He added that adopting Terms of Reference for the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, on the other hand, provides the regional group with a platform for advancing its efforts in promoting and protecting human rights.
"The launching of this important body will be a testimony to our resolve to make ASEAN a ‘Community of Peoples’, he said.
Mr. Kasit noted that the accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia by the United States on Wednesday, together with the signing of the two memoranda on ASEAN-Australian and ASEAN-Russian cooperation, underscored ASEAN enhanced partnership with external partners.
The outcome of the Phuket deliberations will be further developed when the ASEAN leaders meet again at the 15th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in October this year, he said.
In the meantime, he said, cooperation will continue to grow so ASEAN to respond more effectively to challenges, whether the financial and economic crisis, food and energy security, or potential pandemics.
Mr. Kasit said the task ahead will not be easy but with strong determination and a spirit of cooperation, ASEAN could collectively do it.
"I am confident that by the time we pass on this same (chairmanship) torch to Viet Nam six months from now, ASEAN will be on course to becoming a more action-oriented and better-connected community for the benefit of our peoples" he said. (TNA)
