ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting held in Bangkok Oct 13-14

BANGKOK, October 12 (TNA) - Thailand will host the 21st ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) in Bangkok during October 13-14 themed “Towards a Strategic Partnership”. Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai told journalists on Wednesday that High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and EU Vice President Federica Mogherini and he, himself, will co-chair this week's AEMM at the Plaza Athenee Hotel in Bangkok. Don said EU senior representatives and those from other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will also discuss on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Don noted, however, that the ASEAN-EU FTA is not an urgent issue, as ASEAN needs to have a clear stance within the 10-member bloc first. "Thailand does not need to speed up free trade agreement (FTA) talks with other countries during this week's AEMM as well, as the Kingdom has social and political issues to be addressed first", the Thai foreign minister acknowledged. The Thai minister stated that two main documents will be adopted at this week's AEMM, including the Bangkok Declaration and the Bangkok Roadmap for Elevating the ASEAN-EU Enhanced Partnership to a Strategic Level (2016-2017). According to an online press release posted on the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs' official website, this week's AEMM is aimed to strengthen ASEAN-EU cooperation in all dimensions and to set the course for the future direction of their relations. (TNA)