PM satisfied with outcome of ASEAN-Australia Special Summit

SYDNEY, March 19 (TNA) – Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is satisfied with the outcomes of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit, held between March 17-18 in Sydney. Gen Prayut said after attending the summit that the meeting was fruitful and all countries raised the issues to enhance strategic partnership between ASEAN and Australia. The two sides agreed with the Sydney Declaration which reflects the Leaders’ vision in promotion of regional security and prosperity and also signed the ASEAN-Australia MoU on Cooperation to Combat International Terrorism. Regarding the Rohingya isuue, Gen Prayut said he proposed to Myanmar's State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi that Myanmar should find solutions to the problem and member countries should take a unified stance to support Myanmar. In the bilateral meeting with Australia, the Thai prime minister reiterated enhancing people to people relations as more than 100,000 Thai people live in Australia. He invited Australian prime minister to pay a visit to Thailand and the latter accepted the invitation. On the bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Australia, he said a business roadshow will be held to exchange expertise. Thailand is keen on tourism while Australia could share their experience in city administration, cleanliness in urban areas and water management that could be the model for Thailand. Gen Prayut said he has more work to do as Thailand will be ASEAN chair in 2019 and host the APEC meeting in 2022. An international convention centre will be constructed for the event. (TNA)