ASEAN, dialogue partners to focus on tackling economic crisis at Pattaya summits

BANGKOK. March 30. KAZINFORM. The theme of the ASEAN plus 3 and East Asia Summit, to be held in beach city Pattaya of Thailand, is "acting together to cope with global challenges" and much discussion will focus on the financial and economic crisis, said Thailand Foreign Ministry's Director of the Department of ASEAN Affairs Wittawat Sriwihok on Monday.

Wittawat told a press conference Monday at the Ministry that 15 leaders have already confirmed to attend the 12th ASEAN Plus Three (China, Japan and South Korea) Summit and the 4th East Asia Summit, which involved ASEAN and China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. Only the Indian Prime Minister has not confirmed his attendance yet, due to his health problem, Wittawat said. There are 26 outcome documents to be signed, adopted and noted at the summits in Pattaya, Chonburi province of Thailand on April 10-12; Kazinform refers to Xinhua. Two documents to be adopted by all leaders at ASEAN Plus Three are Pattaya Statement on ASEAN plus Three Cooperation on Food Security and Bio-Energy Development. Pattaya Statement on East Asia Summit Disaster Management also will be adopted by the leaders. Documents to be signed by Foreign Ministers are Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Establishing the ASEAN-China Centre and MoU between Government of Australia and ASEAN on the Second Phase of the ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Program. Documents to be signed by Economic Minister are Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Good Manufacturing Practice of Medicinal Products and ASEAN - China Investment Agreement. ASEAN leader also will meet with Ban Ki-moon, secretary General of the United Nations and the heads of leading international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organization to discuss the current global financial crisis.