Thailand to attend ASEAN Regional Forum in Myanmar

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BANGKOK, 6 June 2014 – Foreign Affairs Permanent-Secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow is slated to attend the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) between June 7-10. 

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Sek Wannamethee said delegates from more than 20 of ASEAN’s dialogue partners including Japan, China, India, the United States, the European Union, Australia, Russia, and New Zealand, will attend the meetings.

The ARF is likely to address several key issues that affect regional dynamics, including maritime security and sovereignty disputes in the South and East China Seas, cyber security, and nuclear non-proliferation, the latter in light of recent actions by North Korea.

Mr. Sihasak is set to use the forum as an opportunity to explain local situations and reasons for the coup to garner support from countries in the region. He is set to describe the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s course of actions including those concerning national reconciliation, national reform, and the next election.

Mr. Sihasak also plans to visit ASEAN countries as well as China, Japan, and Australia to convince them of the Army’s efforts to pursue elections.