Mr. Surapong has joined the 45th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, during which all member states’ obligations to establish the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 are emphasized. During the meeting, the Thai minister has mentioned that ASEAN countries need to look out for impacts from the Euro-zone debt crisis even though Southeast Asia is still a region of strong economic fundamental. He stressed that all concerned agencies must coordinate with one another closely while preventive measures must be devised in advance.
In addition, Mr. Surapong also voiced support for Myanmar in becoming a democratic country and congratulated the United States for having strengthened its relationship with the ASEAN region. He stated that the US could play a big role in promoting security and prosperity in ASEAN.
Meanwhile, the minister asserted that Thailand, as the coordinator between ASEAN and China, will do its best to maintain a good relationship between the two sides as earlier pledged.
