Thailand joins ASEAN senior officials' meeting in Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA, January 27 (TNA) - Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow attends a meeting of senior officials from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, to prepare for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM Retreat), set to be held on January 28, in which Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn will participate. Before the senior officials' meeting, Sihasak told TNA on Tuesday morning (local time) that Malaysia, the host of the meeting, and Thailand share many priorities, including liberal trade and amendments to laws and regulations in some countries to facilitate the free trade in the region. Sihasak said Thailand and Malaysia also emphasize solutions to transnational crimes, migrant laborers from neighboring countries and narcotics to protect national security of each ASEAN member country. Besides, Thailand will also take the opportunity to talk with Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar to exchange information on planned bilateral meetings. Sihasak opined that Thailand's political situation should not affect the Kingdom's roles as a coordinator between China and ASEAN on conflicts in the South China Sea. Sihasak noted that Thailand has been praised for relieving international issues and pushing for constructive dialogues and understanding. According to the senior Thai official, ASEAN foreign ministers will brainstorm their ideas on the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by the end of this year at Wednesday's AMM Retreat. (TNA)