PM suggests ASEAN to help move Indo-Pacific region

SINGAPORE, April 28 (TNA) -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha on Saturday suggested fellow member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to help support Indo-Pacific region to move in the same direction so that benefits could be equally shared. Gen Prayut’s idea was floated during the 32nd ASEAN Summit being held in Singapore. Pointing out that ASEAN is strategically located between the Indian and the Pacific oceans, Gen Prayut said building a “Strategic New Equilibrium” needs support from ASEAN to help move the idea of Indo-Pacific region to the same direction which could offer mutual benefit as well as supporting and promoting peace and prosperity in the region. On an economic integration, Gen Prayut suggested that ASEAN member countries ought to develop themselves in to a single production and market while the regional bloc must accelerate on the ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) cooperation in to a reality so that it could lead to an establishment of the East Asia Economic Caucus or EAEC. He went on saying that ASEAN members must also conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with an aim to achieve success as soon as possible in order to create economic opportunity for about half the total world population. Both the RCEP and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) must support each other, said Gen Prayut. On tensions in the Korean Peninsula, Gen Prayut said Thailand supports solving the problem through peaceful means by concerned parties. Gen Prayut said he is pleased to learn that positive development is being seen now after the leaders of North and South Koreas had successfully held summit on Friday. Touching on Rohingya refugee crisis, Gen Prayut said Thailand is prepared to offer more humanitarian assistance and is ready to assist Myanmar government to solve the problem at the root cause. (TNA)