Thailand to take part in ASEAN Summit 2014

BANGKOK, May 7 (TNA) - Thailand will participate in the ASEAN Summit 2014, scheduled to be held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar's capital, from May 10-11, as the forthcoming regional gathering values the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. Arthayudh Srisamoot, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Department of ASEAN Affairs, confirmed the plan on Wednesday, noting that neighboring Myanmar will host an annual summit of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the first time in its capacity as the rotating ASEAN chair. Arthayudh said Thailand appreciates Myanmar’s roles as the ASEAN chair, including its initiative to let ASEAN’s human rights working group meet with the civil sector and its statements on the situation in the South China Sea. Besides, Myanmar has proposed to organize ASEAN meetings on several frameworks despite its limited resources, showing that Myanmar is trying to do its best as the ASEAN chair. Arthayudh revealed that the forthcoming 24 ASEAN Summit, themed “Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community”, will discuss necessary actions to achieve the formation of the AC by next year and ASEAN cooperation thereafter. According to the senior official, Thailand will propose to push for ASEAN cooperation on the promotion of democracy, democratization, human rights, the resolution of regional conflicts, the development of collective standards and values, the elimination of non-tariff trade barriers, the alignment of ASEAN regulations and solutions to cross-border problems. (TNA)