ASEAN-EU meeting calls for quick democratic restoration in Thailand

BANGKOK, July 24 (TNA) - The 20th ASEAN-EU Foreign Ministerial Meeting in Brussels has issued a joint statement, calling on the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to quickly restore democracy in the country in order to resume Thailand's important roles in the region. Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told TNA on Thursday that the joint statement was issued after the meeting of foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the 28-member European Union (EU) in Belgium's capital on July 23 (local time). Sihasak, who is also Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, revealed the ASEAN-EU foreign ministers said in the joint statement that they acknowledged his explanation and the NCPO's attempts to restore and sustain democracy in Thailand under its three-stage roadmap and to work out national reconciliation, national reform and fair elections in specified timeframes. According to the acting foreign minister, EU foreign ministers remained emphasizing their demand for the restoration of democracy and credible elections in Thailand although representatives from the United Kingdom and Austria expressed understanding and satisfaction with his briefing on Thailand's updated situation at the meeting. Besides, the joint statement indicated that other ASEAN member countries and the EU will follow up Thailand's updated situation closely, while they are ready to develop partnership with the Thai Kingdom. The acting foreign minister noted he also proposed that relations between Thailand and the EU proceed in a manner in which both sides' respect and honor each other internal solutions. (TNA)