Thai PM:Asia, Europe agree on closer cooperation for mutual benefits

VIENTIANE, November 6 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says that Asian and European leaders have agreed on promoting closer cooperation between the two continents for mutual benefits. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday while attending the 9th Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Vientiane, Laos' capital, scheduled for November 4-6, Yingluck revealed that government leaders of Asia and Europe exchanged opinions, especially on economic problems, during their first-day meeting on Monday and agreed that closer cooperation is needed to strengthen and to benefit the economies of the two continents. Yingluck acknowledged that Asia in the eyes of Europe has promising natural resources with growing population and economy, but expressing concerns over trade protectionist measures in Asia and airing their desire to see more free trade areas (FTAs) talks and zero tariffs as mechanisms to further stimulate trade and investment in the region. Touching on her bilateral discussions with several government leaders on the sidelines of the 9th ASEM, Yingluck told reporters that she had invited them to invest more in Thailand, as European investors have strong capital funds, noting that her bilateral meetings with several European leaders, during which the European leaders asked about the domestic situation in Thailand and expressed their support for Bangkok's roles on international democracy stages, showed that the European nations recognize democracy in Thailand. The Thai prime minister is scheduled to later meet Lao leaders and to follow up progress on preparations for a joint Thai-Lao Cabinet meeting in the near future. According to the Thai premier, agenda of the last-day 9th ASEM include the world situation, directions of further cooperation between Asia and Europe on social and cultural areas. Premier Yingluck and her entourage are scheduled to return to Thailand tonight, after the conclusion of the 9th ASEM. (TNA)