Thailand to back regional stances at this year's APEC forums in China

BANGKOK, November 3 (TNA) - Thailand will declare national stances on supporing regional agenda at this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forums, set to be held in Beijing from November 5-11. Chutintorn Kongsak, Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of International Economic Affairs, told journalists of the move on Monday, elaborating that the regional plans include the establishment of a free trade area in the Asian Pacific region, the innovative development and the promotion of regional connectivity and upgraded infrastructure. Chutintorn stated that the 26th APEC forums will discuss three main topics, including Advancing Regional Economic Integration, Promoting Innovative Development, Economic Reform and Growth and Strengthening Comprehensive Connectivity and Infrastructure Development and his ministry's delegates will declare Thailand's support for the regional stances at the APEC Ministerial Meeting to be held in the Chinese capital from November 7-8. Regarding regional economic integration, Chutintorn stressed that Thailand always supports APEC's long-standing idea to establish the Free Trade Area of Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and is ready to back China's proposal on a clear roadmap for the concrete establishment of the FTAAP, which is considered a regional need. For the innovative development, economic reform and growth, Chutintorn said Thailand supports the stance in principle, while China has great readiness in terms of sciences and technologies that are very necessary for developing countries in APEC to overcome their middle income trap. For regional connectivity, Chutintorn acknowledged that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has emphasized this stance, which has been further developed in APEC, pointing out that APEC's infrastructure connectivity will certainly benefit ASEAN because APEC is a big financial source. The forthcoming APEC forums, or the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Week includes the Concluding Senior Officials' Meeting from November 5-6, the APEC Ministerial Meeting from November 7-8 and the APEC Summit, the 22nd of its kind, from November 10-11. (TNA)