BANGKOK, 6 May 2011 – Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will be discussing the Thai-Cambodian border disputes with his Cambodian and Indonesian counterparts during their participation in the ASEAN Summit in Indonesia from 7 to 8 May 2011.
Speaking prior to his departure, Mr Kasit stated that he will attend a preparatory meeting with other ASEAN foreign ministers to assess the political, social, cultural as well as economic and security outlooks for ASEAN leaders.
The cooperation that ASEAN has with other dialogue partners will also be revised while regional and global issues such as the situation in the Middle East, pirates, terrorism, natural disasters and especially the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015 will also be discussed in the meeting.
Mr Kasit added that he will discuss the Thai-Cambodian border spat with Indonesian and Cambodian counterparts – Dr Marty M Natalegawa and Hor Namhong respectively as already agreed upon. He said the progress of a plan to station Indonesian observers in the dispute zone will also be reported.
The minister confirmed that Thailand is always ready to negotiate with Cambodia. He said this ASEAN Summit provides another stage for the negotiation and hoped that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will resume the negotiation for better relations and unity of the ASEAN Community.
