Thai PM proposes Japan to support ASEAN connectivity

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, November 19 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has proposed that Japan support ASEAN connectivity, especially the Dawei deep seaport project in Myanmar, as well as cooperation on disaster relief. Yingluck attended the 15th ASEAN-Japan Summit for about one hour and a half on Monday morning, as part of the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related meetings in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, from November 17-20. On the occasion, Yingluck asked Japan to support connectivity among the 10 ASEAN member states, including the networking of Thailand and its neighboring countries and the link between the Dawei deep seaport project in Myanmar and the Laem Chabang deepport in Thailand. Yingluck also asked Japan to promote trade, investment and tourism between ASEAN and Japan and to maximize the use of the ASEAN-Japan free trade agreement (FTA). Besides, the Thai prime minister asked Japan to support serious cooperation on disaster relief, including exchange of information on disaster warning and the development of infrastructure which can endure disasters. The Thai premier encouraged Japan as well to help promote fair development among the ASEAN member countries and proposed that Japan do that through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration or IAI and the Mekong-Japan Forum, suggesting that Tokyo implement such development projects in tripartite partnership, including Thailand in the fields Thailand is good at, including agriculture, health and human resource development. Premier Yingluck also said she believes that relations between ASEAN and Japan will further grow in all dimensions, with their trade and investment keep expanding in both values and volumes, and the region will develop its connectivity and join forces to cope with disasters. (TNA)