ASEAN Summit 2012 starts with FMs meeting

BANGKOK, November 17 (TNA) - The 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related forums kicked off in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital, Saturday with the meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers, prior to the ASEAN Summit 2012 itself, scheduled for November 18. Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong presided over the opening ceremony of the 21st ASEAN Summit and related forums at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh amid tight security. Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul told TNA that major issues raised at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting include transnational crime, drug and human trafficking, natural disaster prevention and human rights. Surapong said, however, that the subject on human rights did not cover the problem of Rohinya Muslim people living in Myanmar, as the crux was considered Myanmar's internal affairs which should be solved by the Myanmar government. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting was set to be followed by the 8th ASEAN Political-Security Community Meeting and the 11th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting later in the day. (TNA)