The leaders of 10 Aean countries joined hands at the Asean Summit.CHA-AM, Oct 25 (TNA) -- A multi-tasked summit of the leaders of the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries and their six dialogue partners ended in Cha-am on Sunday with the 10 heads of state endorsing the declaration launching the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, agreements to cooperate on climate change, disaster management, and more.
The summit of the ASEAN states with government heads of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand focused on economic and financial cooperation, disaster preparation and response, food and energy security, and climate change.
The regional leaders reportedly agreed on responding to the global economic meltdown by “reviewing trade cooperation” as well as entering into free trade and economic partnerships.
The 16 government leaders adopted a statement on disaster management, as natural calamities have become more severe following the recent typhoons and earthquakes in several Asian countries.
The ASEAN leaders also met to confer on other issues on the sidelines of the Southeast Asian summit.
Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, told journalists that Mr Abhisit met separately with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key earlier in the day, to strengthen relations between the kingdom and the three nations.
Dr Panitan said the Chinese premier expressed his government’s interest in investing in railways in Thailand. Premier Wen reportedly also accepted a Thai government invitation to officially visit Bangkok next year. Details of the visit will be discussed later.
Australian Prime Minister Rudd, meanwhile, reaffirmed that his government will continue to provide education funding, especially for setting up a language institute in Thailand, Dr Panitan said.
Touching on a war of words between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Mr. Abhisit regarding Thailand’s ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Dr Panitan said ASEAN participants were “not worried” as they believed the issue was limited to the two neighbour states.
Mr. Hun Sen during the summit expressed other opinions which were in line with those of Mr. Abhisit, he said.
The Cambodian premier had earlier reportedly said that Mr. Thaksin could shelter in Phnom Penh as his guest and could serve as his economic advisor. Mr Hun Sen added that he was not interfering in Thailand's internal affairs but asserted that Cambodia has the right to exercise its sovereignty and make such a decision.
In response, Mr Abhisit said that Mr Hun Sen may have received incorrect information about Mr Thaksin and should not allow himself to be used as a 'pawn'.
Ousted in a bloodless coup, ex-premier Thaksin was sentenced in absentia last year to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in the controversial Bangkok Ratchadapisek land purchase case. He now spends most of his time in the United Arab Emirates after his status as a visitor was rejected by a number of countries including both the United Kingdom and Germany. (TNA)
The summit of the ASEAN states with government heads of China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand focused on economic and financial cooperation, disaster preparation and response, food and energy security, and climate change.
The regional leaders reportedly agreed on responding to the global economic meltdown by “reviewing trade cooperation” as well as entering into free trade and economic partnerships.
The 16 government leaders adopted a statement on disaster management, as natural calamities have become more severe following the recent typhoons and earthquakes in several Asian countries.
The ASEAN leaders also met to confer on other issues on the sidelines of the Southeast Asian summit.
Panitan Wattanayakorn, deputy secretary-general to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, told journalists that Mr Abhisit met separately with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key earlier in the day, to strengthen relations between the kingdom and the three nations.
Dr Panitan said the Chinese premier expressed his government’s interest in investing in railways in Thailand. Premier Wen reportedly also accepted a Thai government invitation to officially visit Bangkok next year. Details of the visit will be discussed later.
Australian Prime Minister Rudd, meanwhile, reaffirmed that his government will continue to provide education funding, especially for setting up a language institute in Thailand, Dr Panitan said.
Touching on a war of words between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Mr. Abhisit regarding Thailand’s ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Dr Panitan said ASEAN participants were “not worried” as they believed the issue was limited to the two neighbour states.
Mr. Hun Sen during the summit expressed other opinions which were in line with those of Mr. Abhisit, he said.
The Cambodian premier had earlier reportedly said that Mr. Thaksin could shelter in Phnom Penh as his guest and could serve as his economic advisor. Mr Hun Sen added that he was not interfering in Thailand's internal affairs but asserted that Cambodia has the right to exercise its sovereignty and make such a decision.
In response, Mr Abhisit said that Mr Hun Sen may have received incorrect information about Mr Thaksin and should not allow himself to be used as a 'pawn'.
Ousted in a bloodless coup, ex-premier Thaksin was sentenced in absentia last year to a two-year jail term for malfeasance in the controversial Bangkok Ratchadapisek land purchase case. He now spends most of his time in the United Arab Emirates after his status as a visitor was rejected by a number of countries including both the United Kingdom and Germany. (TNA)
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