Thailand pushing forward the ratification of ASEAN Charter

The Director-General of the Department of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Affairs, Mr. Vitavas Srivihok, says the ASEAN Foreign Affairs Ministers' Informal Meeting in Singapore is urging for the nine ASEAN member countries to put the ASEAN Charter into effect by next year.

Mr. Vitavas says the ASEAN Foreign Affairs Ministers' Informal Meeting is being held on February 19th and 20th in Singapore. He says the main agenda of this meeting is the ratification of the ASEAN Charter, and Singapore is currently the only nation that has endorsed it. Mr. Vitavas says Thailand will use this opportunity to restore the confidence of foreign nations towards the country's political situation. He adds that Thailand has formed a new democratically elected government following the December-23rd general election. He says the Thai delegates will also expedite the ASEAN Charter's ratification before the 14th ASEAN Summit will be held in Thailand. Furthermore, Thailand will show its readiness to take on the ASEAN Chairman's post.

The Foreign Affairs Minister of Thailand, Mr. Noppadon Pattama, will also hold talks on various issues with the Foreign Affairs Ministers from Indonesia and Singapore. This is also Mr. Noppadon's opportunity to pay an official visit to Singapore on February 21st, following his appointment recently.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 19 February 2008

To include Burma no doubt, sad as we see what that Junta is doing to the poor people over there.