Thailand urges Australia to help conclude regional economic partnership

NAY PYI TAW, MYANMAR, November 13 (TNA) - Thailand has called on Australia to play leading roles in helping conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) within 2015 as scheduled. Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha made the call in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital, on Wednesday, when he held bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott on the sidelines of the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and other related forums organized from November 12-13. The Thai prime minister acknowledged that the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership deal, if successfully concluded, should help create the world's largest free economic zone. The Thai premier also proposed ideas to promote cooperation between ASEAN and Australia. The Thai leader pointed out that ASEAN is Australia's second largest trading partner and it is likely that the status will be further developed. (TNA)