On 2 August 2018, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, attended the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conferences with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, namely Japan, the People’s Republic of China, and New Zealand.

 

The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with Japan highlighted progress made in the political, security, economic, and social cooperation. On the occasion of 45th anniversary of ASEAN - Japan dialogue relations this year, the meeting welcomed Japan’s important role in narrowing the development gaps through various connectivity frameworks, including the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) 2025 and other sub-regional cooperation frameworks. The Meeting also reiterated the importance of ASEAN centrality in regional architecture and appreciated Japan's assistance in human resources development in the region.

 

The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with China discussed various important issues including the direction of ASEAN – China relations that have reached the 15th anniversary of strategic partnership. Both sides agreed to announce that 2019 would be the Year of Media Exchange for ASEAN - China. The meeting emphasised the importance of connectivity in the region and the linkage with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Both sides noted the progress of cooperation made in the political, security, economic, social and cultural cooperation fields. Regarding the South China Sea, the Meeting supported the latest positive developments on ASEAN and China's efforts in agreeing on a single negotiating text for a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea (COC).

 

The ASEAN PMC+1 with New Zealand reviewed the progress of the implementation of the ASEAN – Anew Zealand Plan of Action (POA) 2016-2020 in accordance with the People Strategy and the Prosperity Strategy. The meeting also discussed areas where both sides can increase cooperation such as agriculture, education, people-to-people connectivity, cyber security, and disaster management. The meeting also discussed the early conclusion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), for which New Zealand will host negotiations in October 2018. On this occasion, Thailand proposed expanding cooperation on sustainable development with New Zealand through the establishment of an ASEAN Centre on Sustainable Development Studies and Dialogue to be established in Thailand in 2019. The meeting also agreed in principle to hold a commemorative meeting to celebrate the 45th anniversary of ASEAN - New Zealand dialogue relations in 2020.

 

The ASEAN PMC+1 Session with Russia expressed their appreciation for the decision of H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, to attend the upcoming 4th ASEAN - Russia Summit and the East Asia Summit (EAS) in November 2018 in Singapore. Both sides welcomed the progress made on cooperation in counter-terrorism, cyber security, education, and cooperation projects on energy, agriculture, SMEs and environment. The Meeting also agreed that the regional architecture of the Indo-Pacific region should be based on inclusiveness, transparency, rule of law, and ASEAN centrality while utilising ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the East Asia Summit (EAS) and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region. 

 

On 3 August 2018, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will attend the Post-Ministerial Conferences (PMC) with India, Canada, Republic of Korea, Australia, the United States, the 8th Mekong – Republic of Korea Ministerial Meeting, the 11th Mekong – Japan Ministerial Meeting, and the 11th Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Ministerial Meeting. The Minister of Foreign Affairs will also co-chair the Meeting with the European Union and will assume the role of Country Coordinator for ASEAN – India Dialogue Relations from 2018 – 2021.