Thai, ASEAN FMs hold informal talks in NY

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES, September 27 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn on Friday held informal talks with foreign ministers of other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in New York on the sidelines of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). During the talks, chaired by Myanmar Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, General Tanasak stressed that the Thai government is determined to cooperate with fellow ASEAN members in forming the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. General Tanasak also informed ASEAN foreign ministers that the Thai government realises the significance of ASEAN cooperation towards global issues and within the UN context, including sustainable development, disaster management and anti- transnational crime, covering drugs and human trafficking. The ASEAN foreign ministers also exchanged ideas on developmental issues after the AC is formed and benefits to be obtained by people living in the region, namely public health services. On the occasion, the Thai deputy prime minister thanked his ASEAN counterparts for their support for Thailand's move to seek a non-permanent seat at the UN Security Council for the years 2017 -2018. (TNA)