Thai premier calls for Korea-ASEAN efforts to fight global crisis

By Byun Duk-kun
JEJU ISLAND, South Korea, May 31 (Yonhap) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva called on South Korea and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) to join efforts in fighting the global economic slowdown, saying
no country can overcome the crisis alone.
"The problems and challenges we face today require concerted regional efforts.
Regional cooperation and integration are no longer a luxury, but a necessity,"
Abhisit said in a speech at a business forum to be held until Monday.
"We must collaborate, as no country can take on these challenges alone," said
Abhisit, who is currently serving in the rotating chairmanship of ASEAN, which
also includes Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore,
the Philippines and Vietnam.
The business forum, named the "CEO Summit," came ahead of a special summit
between Korea and ASEAN that will be held here from Monday to mark the 20th
anniversary of the establishment of a dialogue partnership between the sides.
The Thai prime minister said the Korea-ASEAN relationship has grown significantly
over the years, especially in the economic sector, as he noted the volume of
bilateral trade reached over US$90 billion in 2008, while investment flows
amounted to $6.8 billion. Korea-ASEAN trade stood at a little over $8 billion in
1989 when the dialogue partnership was established, according to South Korean
officials here.
"In light of the global economic and financial crisis, we need to work more
closely together to ensure that our trade and investment ties will not be
seriously affected," Abhisit said.
"Our collaboration is beyond borders; we should therefore think regionally and
act globally. Together, ASEAN and Korea can move ahead," he added.
The Oxford-educated prime minister said it may still take some time before the
full or true implication of the global economic downturn can be assessed, but
claimed the ongoing crisis could pose opportunities for Asia to become the new
hub of the world economy.
"In my view, the current crisis will not dampen, but hasten, the rise of Asia as
the center of growth and prosperity," he said in his speech.
The prime minister also noted the importance of cooperation between public and
private sectors as he spoke to some 700 officials and business leaders from Korea
and the 10 member countries of ASEAN.
"Governments may open the door for increased trade and investment, but it is
important for the private sectors to use that door," Abhisit said.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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