New York: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has expressed concern over the recent drone attacks on Aramco's oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking on the sidelines of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, MFA spokeswoman Busadee Santipitaks said Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai attended the Asean-GCC Troika Ministerial Meeting.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprises of six countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.
"Thailand has a good relationship with the GCC, but we are looking to boost trade. We exchanged views and agreed to focus on activities that enhance connectivity, cultural tourism, and people-to-people contact. The meeting was also informed that Bahrain will be a high contracting party to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and sign the deal at the 35th Asean Summit in Bangkok this November," she said.
Ms Busadee said Thailand views the drone strike against oil facilities in Saudi Arabia as a serious matter because it affects the oil production supply chain worldwide.
"It has an impact on regional and global stability and could further escalate the tension. However, we admire the self-restraint [exercised] by those affected. Otherwise, the situation could escalate to unexpected levels," she said.
Ms Busadee said Thailand, as Asean chair, is taking the matter seriously because it is aiming to bring sustainable peace and prosperity to the region.
"Any unpredictable situation outside the region could also threaten our stability. We are deeply saddened by the situation and believe the action should be condemned," she said.
Ms Busadee said Mr Don also sat in on the Asean-Pacific Alliance Ministerial Meeting. The Pacific Alliance is a Latin American trade bloc comprising of Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico.
"It discussed a proposal to set up a free-trade area with Asean and took an interest in our initiative to combat marine debris," she said.
Meanwhile, Ms Busadee said the bloc discussed regional issues, including the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and the Rakhine situation with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the Asean-UN Secretary Ministers' Meeting.
"They unanimously support multilateralism and a rules-based order for co-existence," she said.
On the Informal Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Ms Busadee said: "They discussed the agenda of the meeting with the United Nations and the agenda of the 35th Asean Summit this November when 44 papers will be endorsed."