Thai leaders participate in Asian-African Conference 2015

BANGKOK, April 20 (TNA) - Thai leaders, including Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, participate in the Asian-African Conference (AAC) 2015, held in Indonesia from April 19-24. General Tanasak has first left for Indonesia to attend the AAC ministerial meeting, which begins on April 20, while Prime Minister General Prayut, who is also Chief of the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), will later attend the AAC Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, from April 22-23. Besides, the Thai premier has assigned General Tanasak to attend ceremonies to celebrate the 60th anniversary of AAC and the 10th anniversary of the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership (NAASP) in Bandung of the Indonesian West Java Province on April 24. There are also related forums and activities, including the Asia Africa Parliamentary Conference, the Asia Africa Business Forum and the Asia Africa Smart City Summit 2015. The Thai leaders take part in the activities to show support for cooperation among developing countries and boost Thailand's relations with the others, as well as economic and development cooperation among Asian and African countries. Thailand has played roles in the Asian-African Conference since its first session in 1995, when then Thai foreign minister Prince Wan Waithayakorn attended it. This year's conference draws representatives from about 110 Asian and African countries, including such national leaders as the Sultan of Brunei, the King of Jordan and the Chinese President, along with the leaders of African countries. (TNA)