ID :
46514
Thu, 02/19/2009 - 20:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/46514
The shortlink copeid
Thai PM to visit Indonesia February 20-21
BANGKOK, Feb 19 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will visit Indonesia February 20-21 to foster cooperation in the fisheries industry and consult on approaches to resolving Thailand's insurgency problem in the southern border provinces.
The visit will be Mr. Abhisit's second trip to visit Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, after having officially visited Laos on January 23.
Mr. Abhisit said he would discuss the upcoming G-20 London meeting on April 2 as Indonesia is a G-20 member, in which he has been invited to participate as representative of the ASEAN chair.
The G-20 -- the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- is a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 20 economies: 19 of the world's 25 largest national economies, plus the European Union (EU).
As an informal forum that promotes open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability, the G-20 offers an unusual opportunity for Mr. Abhisit to represent both ASEAN and Thailand.
The Thai prime minister added that he would affirm the good relations between Thailand and Indonesia which would celebrate the 60th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations in 2010.
Important bilateral issues to be discussed in Indonesia include economic cooperation, Mr. Abhisit said.
He said that apart from cooperation within the ASEAN framework, Thailand also cooperates with Indonesia in the context of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework.
IMT-GT was established in 1993 to promote growth under a new trilateral scheme of sub-regional economic cooperation.
Regarding the insurgency in Thailand's southernmost provinces, Mr. Abhisit said Indonesia as the world's most populous Muslim country has played an important role in explaining Thailand's position to Islamic countries.
Indonesia also is offering its experience in Aceh and Western Papua (Irian Jaya) to Thailand, the prime minister said, adding that Indonesia and Thailand also share technical cooperation and exchange of religious teachers and students which could also be a factor in bringing peace to Thailand's southern border provinces.
Mr. Abhisit added talks would also be held on fisheries cooperation to benefit both countries. Thai policy is to cooperate with Indonesia responsibly, encouraging Thai fisheries to respect Indonesian rules and regulations.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, Mr. Abhisit said Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had visited Indonesia February 10-11 and agreed to continue sharing information and cooperating.
The issue may be discussed additionally on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Thailand, he said.
"I hope to have a fruitful visit to Indonesia -- particularly in regards to cooperation in fisheries and the southern insurgency. It would be a good foundation to create joint economic, political and social opportunity in the future," the prime minister said.
Although Thailand currently chairs ASEAN, Indonesia has a leadership role as a co-founder of the regional grouping.
Mr. Abhisit said he would try to meet ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan in Jakarta to discuss post-ASEAN Charter adoption cooperation. (TNA)
The visit will be Mr. Abhisit's second trip to visit Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members, after having officially visited Laos on January 23.
Mr. Abhisit said he would discuss the upcoming G-20 London meeting on April 2 as Indonesia is a G-20 member, in which he has been invited to participate as representative of the ASEAN chair.
The G-20 -- the Group of Twenty Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors -- is a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 20 economies: 19 of the world's 25 largest national economies, plus the European Union (EU).
As an informal forum that promotes open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability, the G-20 offers an unusual opportunity for Mr. Abhisit to represent both ASEAN and Thailand.
The Thai prime minister added that he would affirm the good relations between Thailand and Indonesia which would celebrate the 60th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations in 2010.
Important bilateral issues to be discussed in Indonesia include economic cooperation, Mr. Abhisit said.
He said that apart from cooperation within the ASEAN framework, Thailand also cooperates with Indonesia in the context of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework.
IMT-GT was established in 1993 to promote growth under a new trilateral scheme of sub-regional economic cooperation.
Regarding the insurgency in Thailand's southernmost provinces, Mr. Abhisit said Indonesia as the world's most populous Muslim country has played an important role in explaining Thailand's position to Islamic countries.
Indonesia also is offering its experience in Aceh and Western Papua (Irian Jaya) to Thailand, the prime minister said, adding that Indonesia and Thailand also share technical cooperation and exchange of religious teachers and students which could also be a factor in bringing peace to Thailand's southern border provinces.
Mr. Abhisit added talks would also be held on fisheries cooperation to benefit both countries. Thai policy is to cooperate with Indonesia responsibly, encouraging Thai fisheries to respect Indonesian rules and regulations.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, Mr. Abhisit said Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya had visited Indonesia February 10-11 and agreed to continue sharing information and cooperating.
The issue may be discussed additionally on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Thailand, he said.
"I hope to have a fruitful visit to Indonesia -- particularly in regards to cooperation in fisheries and the southern insurgency. It would be a good foundation to create joint economic, political and social opportunity in the future," the prime minister said.
Although Thailand currently chairs ASEAN, Indonesia has a leadership role as a co-founder of the regional grouping.
Mr. Abhisit said he would try to meet ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan in Jakarta to discuss post-ASEAN Charter adoption cooperation. (TNA)
