Thailand encourages Japan to invest in regional connectivity

NAY PYI TAW, MYANMAR, November 13 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has invited Japan to invest in regional connectivity projects and declared Thailand's stance on supporting the ASEAN-Japan communique. General Prayut made the remarks on Wednesday when attending the 17th ASEAN-Japan Summit, organized together with the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and other related forums in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital, from November 12-13. General Prayut encouraged Japan to invest in regional link projects through the development of infrastructure, railways, deep-sea ports and special economic zones. The Thai premier acknowledged that Japan is a key dialogue partner and has played major economic roles in ASEAN, where Japan is the third most important trading partner and second biggest investor. The Thai prime minister also announced that Thailand backs the joint ASEAN-Japan communique, calling for collaborative suppression of terrorism and transnational crimes. To this effect, the Thai leader recommended preventive and suppressive actions, law enforcement, information exchange and personnel training. Besides, the Thai leader called for regional preparations to cope with disasters and reduce their risks, saying disasters are considered a new security issue of ASEAN. Prime Minister General Prayut also expressed Thailand's support for Japan's host of the 3rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction next year. (TNA)