Thailand's proposals at 47th AMM

BANGKOK, August 8 (TNA) - Thailand has raised five proposals on maintaining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s leading roles after the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by the end of 2015. Representing Thailand at the 47th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related forums, held in Naypyitaw, Myanmar's capital, this week, Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, who is also Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, raised the five proposals at the 47th AMM on Friday. The five proposals include creating unity within ASEAN, becoming a leading mediator to help ease issues affecting regional security, promoting sustainable relations with world powers, becoming a strong role player on world stages and playing constructive roles on global issues. The five Thai proposals, if finally endorsed, will be part of the ASEAN's visions after the establishment of the AC. A report on progress of overall preparations for the AC in all three main pillars, including polical and security, economic and socio-cultural spheres, was also raised at the 47th AMM. The report said that there are now 20 per cent preparations for the three main spheres left in the lead-up to the formation of the AC. Friday's AMM also resolved that cooperation among ASEAN member countries be people-oriented after the AC is formed. Before the 47th AMM session, the ASEAN foreign ministers made a courtesy call on Myanmar President Thein Sein and then joined a meeting of ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), during which a report on its operations over the past year was presented and a review of the agency's five-year framework to ensure that it keeps pace with global updates. Meanwhile, ASEAN member countries celebrated the "ASEAN Day" on August 8, as "Bangkok Declaration" on the establishment of ASEAN was signed on August 8, 1967. Thailand was among five founding members of ASEAN, which also included Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore, while other four member countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar joined ASEAN later. The goals of ASEAN are to promote mutual understanding among member countries and to create political, economic and social stability based on equality and mutual benefits among the member countries.(TNA)