Bangkok Post
SINGAPORE : Southeast Asia should be open to new ideas about how to manage its affairs, says Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Asean, East Asia, Apec and Asean +3+6 summits have served the region well but new ideas should be considered, he said ahead of the 21-member Apec summit in Singapore.
Asean has responded well to the financial crisis, boosting a regional contingent fund. It has also signed new free-trade agreements and partnership agreements with its dialogue partners.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has proposed a powerful Asia-Pacific Community for the region, which would embrace political, security and economic issues by 2020.
Mr Abhisit said evolution in the region's groupings was inevitable and members should be open to new ideas such as the Australian proposal.
"We should reject none of these proposals but rather be aware this is something we all have to do," he said.
Asean, East Asia, Apec and Asean +3+6 summits have served the region well but new ideas should be considered, he said ahead of the 21-member Apec summit in Singapore.
Asean has responded well to the financial crisis, boosting a regional contingent fund. It has also signed new free-trade agreements and partnership agreements with its dialogue partners.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has proposed a powerful Asia-Pacific Community for the region, which would embrace political, security and economic issues by 2020.
Mr Abhisit said evolution in the region's groupings was inevitable and members should be open to new ideas such as the Australian proposal.
"We should reject none of these proposals but rather be aware this is something we all have to do," he said.
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