H.E. Dr. Itti Ditbanjong, Ambassador of Thailand hosted the Second Meeting of the ASEAN - Moscow Committee (AMC) under the Chairmanship of Thailand (October 2013 - March 2014) at his Residence on March 20, 2014. The Meeting focused on ways forward to further enhance ASEAN - Russia relations.

Upon the completion of the term of duty for the AMC Chairmanship, the Ambassador of Thailand has recalled on the AMC achievements throughout his Chairmanship, during which the priority was given on the further strengthening of the closer dialogue with the Russian authorities.

In particular, through Thailand’s initiative, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation agreed to meet with the ASEAN Ambassadors, by which the coordination on the date of the mutual convenience to organize the meeting is currently underway.

The AMC also gained recognition by the Russian side as a reliable partner on a regular dialogue to further enhance and promote the closer cooperation within the framework of the ASEAN - Russia relations. The discussion at policy level on various important issues in this regard was held over a working lunch which H.E. Mr. Igor Morgulov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted in honour of the ASEAN Ambassadors at the MFA Mansion.        

During the Chairmanship of Thailand, the groundwork for a number of activities and projects were equally concretized. The AMC approved the plan for        the visits to Novorossiysk and Sochi within this year so as to promote closer cooperation and raise awareness of the ASEAN - Russia relations, as well as to explore the mutual interests and good understanding between each ASEAN member country and these respective Russian cities.

Last but not least, with the view to promoting the ASEAN unity among the ASEAN community in Russia, the AMC also approved the annually planned “ASEAN Sports Day” as initiated by Thailand. The first “ASEAN Sports Day” will take place on 1 June 2014.

After the Meeting, the Ambassador of Thailand handed over the AMC Chairmanship to the Ambassador of Vietnam who will assume the duty from April - September 2014.