Asean supports the repatriation of displaced Rohingya, says Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, speaking as the Asean chair.
"We support the repatriation of displaced people, which is still subject to negotiation between Myanmar and Bangladesh," he said on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), as quoted by Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks.
In addition, Mr Don also held bilateral talks with Minister of the Office of the State Councillor Kyaw Tint Swe on Saturday to discuss the matter, said Ms Busadee. "As Asean foreign ministers will meet informally today, we hope Myanmar will report on progress of the issue. It will affirm Asean's role and Myanmar's acknowledgement of our effort," she said.
Ms Busadee said the bloc's stance aligns with a needs assessment prepared by Asean's Emergency Response and Action Team (Erat) with support from Myanmar officials. "The Asean Secretariat and Erat as well as Myanmar officials have conducted the study and visited the area.
Apart from the Asean issue, Mr Don on Saturdaymet Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmed Bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, the foreign minister of Bahrain. "Thailand has developed a close relationship with Bahrain. It will attend the 35th Asean Summit in Bangkok to show its commitment to becoming a high contracting party to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. The signing ceremony is expected in November," she said, adding they also discussed regional issues such as the Middle East.
Ms Busadee said Mr Don also spoke with Guatemala Foreign Minister Sandra Erica Jovel Polanco. "This year marks the 62nd anniversary of diplomatic ties. Guatemala will open its embassies in Thailand and Indonesia," she said.
Meanwhile, she said Mr Don on Saturday also attended the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) Ministerial Meeting. Qatar presided over the annual conference and handed over the chairmanship to Turkey for 2020. With 35 member countries, the ACD has promoted six areas of cooperation: connectivity, science, education, food, water, energy and sustainable development.
Ms Busadee said Mr Don promotes sustainable development because it aligns with the UN. "He asked staff to collect proposals for the next UNGA," she said.