Thailand Acts as ASEAN-EU Coordinator Three Years

BANGKOK, August 9 (TNA) - After receiving praises from fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for its just ended role as coordinator for ASEAN and China, Thailand will now act in the similar role between the grouping and the European Union (EU), said Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and also Foreign Affairs Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn. Gen. Tanasak told journalists that Thailand, at the 48th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting, held in the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur last week, continued its determination to see stability and peace in the South China Sea . It was not an easy task for being the coordinator for ASEAN and China as Thailand would have to persuade other ASEAN members not to criticise the Chinese government and Thailand would have to be certain that both sides had nothing to lose, the Foreign Minister said. It was a challenging job for being the coordinator, said Gen. Tanasak, adding that the Thai government would have to stay neutral and to also respect ASEAN’s principle while dealing with China. The Foreign Minister said he was optimistic that it would become easier for the Thai government to stay as coordinator between the ASEAN and the EU three years from now because of the experience it has gained. (TNA)