Thai PM to hold talks with regional leaders during APEC 2015

BANGKOK, November 10 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with regional leaders during his participation in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2015 and related forums in Manila, the Philippines' capital, from November 17-18. Chutin Kongsak, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of International Economic Affairs, told journalists on Tuesday that the Thai premier is scheduled to confer with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after attending a dinner reception to be hosted in honour of government leaders of all 21 APEC member economies on November 18. On the sidelines of the 23rd APEC Summit and related forums, Chutin said, the Thai prime minister will also hold bilateral talks on economic issues with leaders from Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Mexico and Colombia. According to the senior official, Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai is also scheduled to confer with his counterparts from Australia and Japan on the sidelines of the upcoming APEC Summit and related forums, aimed at strengthening cooperation with the allied countries. (TNA)