ID :
364359
Tue, 04/21/2015 - 09:50
Auther :

Thailand committed to partnership with Asian-African allies

BANGKOK, April 21 (TNA) - Thailand reiterates a commitment to the partnership with Asian and African allies. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, who is attending the Asian-African Conference (AAC) 2015 in Indonesia, stressed on the stance when delivering a speech at the Asian-African Ministerial Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia's capital, on April 20. General Tanasak said that the stance has remained intact since Thailand, a founding member of AAC, joined fellow Asian and African nations in establishing the New Asian-African Strategic Partnership in 2005. General Tanasak pointed out, roughly up to 87 per cent of United Nations peacekeeping personnel have come from Asian and African countries and Thailand, with the commitment, has become part of the mission to continue promoting peace worldwide. Besides, over a quarter of Africa’s international trade is with Asia and Thailand has had good trading relations with the Asian, African trading partners. The Thai deputy prime minister proposed that growing Asian and African allies do much more together as their combined potential is almost limitless and there are many more opportunities, especially in the area of economic relations. The deputy prime minister insisted that Thailand is committed to working together with its Asian and African friends and partners to seize the opportunities and to realise the common goals of stability, prosperity and sustainability. According to the deputy premier, Thailand is also ready to work with other fellow member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to ensure that existing regional and sub-regional frameworks are connected and complement one another. The deputy prime minister also urged the participating countries to engage in a serious and constructive dialogue that will lead to concrete initiatives to achieve their common goals and to build even stronger links between Asia and Africa. Two Thai leaders, including Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister General Tanasak, participate in the AAC 2015 and related forums, held in Indonesia from April 19-24. General Tanasak first left for Indonesia to attend the AAC Ministerial Meeting, which began 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 from April 22-23. (TNA)

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