Special talk with world leaders not related to reform forum: Surapong
Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who is also deputy PM, said on Tuesday that the special talks with high-profile international statesmen and experts scheduled for September 2 is not related to the government-proposed political reform forum.
Kofi Annan, former United Nations secretary-general, is unable to make it but has said he supports the initiative, Surapong said.
The minister added that the Cabinet had approved the proposal made by the Foreign Ministry to host this special meeting, entitled "Uniting for the Future Learning from Each Other’s Experience", which resulted from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s initiative.
The event, to be held in Bangkok, will be inaugurated with an opening speech by Yingluck herself. Former British PM Tony Blair is among the high-profile speakers invited.
The talks will be broadcast live on television in the morning, while the afternoon round will be aired on radio, Surapong said. He added that the participants in this event are different from those who will take part in the political reform council process.
