Thailand fosters cooperative ties with ASEAN Secretariat

Jakarta (VNA) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Don Pramudwinai has visited the ASEAN Secretariat, seeking to carry out the next steps after the launch of the ASEAN Community at the end of last year.

The visit of Foreign Minister Pramudwinai to the ASEAN Secretariat was the first since he assumed the post in 2015 , according to the announcement of the ASEAN Secretariat on February 12.

During the talk with ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh, the two stressed the need to enhance ASEAN awareness among the peoples of the region.

They noted that this would be in line with the people-oriented, people-centred ASEAN Community and it would be of greater significance when ASEAN celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2017.

The Secretary-General said that Thailand’s efforts in promoting ASEAN at the national level would serve as a good example for other ASEAN Member States.

Thailand has done much work in creating awareness among its business sector on the benefits of the ASEAN Economic Community, he said.

Both sides also agreed on the need to strengthen regional coordination on cross-cutting issues such as humanitarian assistance and disaster management, counter-terrorism and maritime security.

Secretary-General Minh also expressed his appreciation to Thailand for its continued support in strengthening the ASEAN Secretariat.

H e also reassured the Thai Foreign Minister that the ASEAN Secretariat will continue to do its utmost to assist Member States in further integration and community-building efforts.-VNA