On 12 November 2014 at 18.30 – 19.30 hr., H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, attended the ASEAN-Australia Commemorative Summit at Myanmar International Convention Centre (MICC-1) in Nay Pyi Taw, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

The Commemorative Summit was held on the occasion of the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN - Australia dialogue relations to review on past and future cooperation, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues among leaders from ASEAN member countries and H.E. Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott noted that trade between ASEAN and Australia has grown over 80 fold since 40 years ago and reiterated the continual strengthening of partnership in security and economic areas. Australia remarked that ASEAN has come a long way in terms of regional development and hope that Australia has contributed its most to this progress. Australia is a “true friend” of ASEAN, especially in times of need such as during the 2004 Tsunami and the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan, in which Australia has continually provided assistance. In addition, Australia welcomed ASEAN’s participation in the New Colombo Plan which will bring Australian undergraduate students to further studies in Asia-Pacific.

The Prime Minister of Thailand expressed Thailand’s support in the following areas, (1) enhancing ASEAN Connectivity, especially through infrastructure development projects, as well as strengthening cooperation in dealing with trans-boundary security issues stemming from Connectivity. (2) utilizing the AANZFTA and expecting a timely conclusion to the RCEP within 2015. (3) promoting people-to-people cooperation through exchange programs of students, teachers, youths, as well as personnel with expertise in science, technology, and innovation.

On this occasion, the Leaders welcomed the elevation of dialogue partnership status this year from “Comprehensive Partnership” to “Strategic Partnership” and adopted the Joint ASEAN - Australia Leaders’ Statement on the 40th Anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations.