PM attends 27th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is already prepared for the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur from Nov 20 to 22 and will emphasize the strength of Thailand to support ASEAN strength, deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said. The deputy government spokesman said that the summit was important because it would officially announce the formation of the ASEAN Community on Dec 31, 2015, and proceed with the new ASEAN Community vision to be implemented from 2016 to 2025 or in the next decade. Leaders of non-ASEAN countries playing important roles in Southeast Asia would also attend the summit, including the president of the United States and the prime ministers of China, Japan and India. The secretary-general of the United Nations would be there too, Maj Gen Werachon said. The summit would stress relations between ASEAN and countries outside the region and the future of ASEAN and would recognize the US and New Zealand as the strategic partners of ASEAN. Maj Gen Werachon said Prime Minister Prayut would propose the ASEAN Community build up its bargaining power in global arenas. "We view ASEAN as a family. Thailand must play important roles in strengthening ASEAN. We believe that many countries agree with the roles. The vision of the prime minister is for the strength of Thailand and all other countries in ASEAN," Maj Gen Werachon said. He added that in the summit ASEAN leaders would sign three important documents: the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the establishment of the ASEAN Community, the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025 and the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons. (TNA)