ASEAN to set up disaster relief agency

BANGKOK, November 14 (TNA) - The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plans to set up its own disaster relief agency which can gather personnel and supplies to help disaster-stricken member countries as soon as possible. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul and visiting Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa discussed and agreed on the plan on Thursday, when they co-chaired the 8th Thai-Indonesian Joint Commission (JC) in Bangkok. At the meeting, the Thai and Indonesian authorities discussed, among other issues, disaster relief cooperation between ASEAN member countries, after the Philippines was ravaged by Super Typhoon Haiyan on November 8 with a massive loss. Both agreed that they will draft the plan before the ASEAN Summit next year. (TNA)