Thai PM leaves for Asian-African Summit 2015 in Indonesia

BANGKOK, April 21 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has departed for Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, to attend the Asian-African Summit 2015, set from April 22-23. Government Spokesman Dr. Yingyuth Mayalarp told journalists that the Thai prime minister and his entourage left Bangkok for Jakarta on Tuesday afternoon. The spokesman said the two-day summit is an important opportunity for Thailand to show the Kingdom's promising roles on an international stage, which also serves as an inter-continental bridge between Asia and Africa for mutually-sustainable development. During the two-day summit, in which delegates of 112 countries participate, 25 of them are national leaders, the spokesman stated, the Thai prime minister will join other participants in endorsing three draft documents on agreed decisions of the summit. Besides, the Thai prime minister will hold bilateral talks with leaders of other participating countries, including Indonesian President Joko Widodo, whom he will discuss cooperation on fishery and agricultural products between Jakarta and Bangkok. According to the spokesman, the Thai prime minister will also take the opportunity to brief on Thailand's update situation to the other participating leaders. Meanwhile, Foreign Ministry Spokeman Sek Wannamethee, who is also Director-General of the ministry's Department of Information, told reporters that Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, who was participating in the Asian-African Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, confirmed in his Monday's speech Thailand's readiness to cooperate with Asian and African allied nations on development and technical exchange programmes. Sek revealed that the Thai deputy prime minister and foreign minister also held talks with Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti on cooperation between Jakarta and Bangkok on solution to fishery issues and assistance to Thai fishermen, covering the European Union (EU)'s suggestion that Thailand introduce measures on effective prevention and end of illegal fishing. The prime minister and deputy prime minister represent Thailand to participate in the Asian African Conference (AAC) 2015 and related forums, hosted by Indonesia from April 19-24. (TNA)