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Anti-terrorism measures not to hamper economic growth
Kuala Lumpur, Aug 25: Counter-terrorism measures taken by the countries in the region should not affect the movement of people and goods for legitimate economic and social purposes, Thailand`s former Foreign Minister said at the Asian Statesmen`s Forum here.
Kuala Lumpur, Aug 25: Counter-terrorism measures taken by the countries in the region should not affect the movement of people and goods for legitimate
economic and social purposes, Thailand's former Foreign Minister said at the Asian Statesmen's Forum here.
Surin Pitsuwan told the forum that the region, especially the Asean, is capable of combating terror together.
"We are very mindful of the delicate balance in every society in this region, like racial and religious harmony, government structure or model and we would not let efforts to combat terrorism to affect this delicate balance," he told reporters at the end of the one-day forum.
Leaders from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Japan attended the forum which was organised by Asia Seed (Science & Education for Economic Development Institute) and the Asia Pacific Energy Forum.
As such, he said, the forum supported the implementation of effective border security and documentation practices while facilitating the cost-effective and efficient movement of people and goods for legitimate economic and social purposes.
Surin said the forum also realised the need for closer economic integration among the Asian countries, many of which were badly hit by the financial crisis in 1997.
He said that among the areas that could be worked on was a closer synchronisation of energy sector among the countries in the region to speed up development process.
Some countries in the region were energy rich while others lacked the power needed to boost up the development, he said.
Meanwhile, Forum chairman Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, who is Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) chairman, said the proposals formulated by the participants would be forwarded to their respective government for further action.
Bureau Report
Surin Pitsuwan told the forum that the region, especially the Asean, is capable of combating terror together.
"We are very mindful of the delicate balance in every society in this region, like racial and religious harmony, government structure or model and we would not let efforts to combat terrorism to affect this delicate balance," he told reporters at the end of the one-day forum.
Leaders from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Japan attended the forum which was organised by Asia Seed (Science & Education for Economic Development Institute) and the Asia Pacific Energy Forum.
As such, he said, the forum supported the implementation of effective border security and documentation practices while facilitating the cost-effective and efficient movement of people and goods for legitimate economic and social purposes.
Surin said the forum also realised the need for closer economic integration among the Asian countries, many of which were badly hit by the financial crisis in 1997.
He said that among the areas that could be worked on was a closer synchronisation of energy sector among the countries in the region to speed up development process.
Some countries in the region were energy rich while others lacked the power needed to boost up the development, he said.
Meanwhile, Forum chairman Abdul Azim Mohd Zabidi, who is Bank Simpanan Nasional (BSN) chairman, said the proposals formulated by the participants would be forwarded to their respective government for further action.
Bureau Report