SECRETARY-GENERAL HOPES FOR EARLY RESTORATION OF NORMALCY IN THAILAND, DEEPLY

REGRETS POSTPONEMENT OF SUMMIT OF ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS

The following statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was issued in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on 11 April:

I deeply regret the postponement of the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] and related summits and the consequent postponement of my attendance to the events.  I understand the circumstances that led the Thai Government to take this difficult decision.  While I had hoped to have exchanges with the leaders of ASEAN and its dialogue partners, I continue to look forward to engaging again with them in the near future.

I strongly value the long-standing relationship between ASEAN and the United Nations and their cooperation in various fields.  I hope for an early restoration of normalcy in Thailand and for the settlement of differences through dialogue and peaceful means.

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For information media • not an official record