Dr. Surakiart visits Argentina and Peru 14-16 August 2006

As the ASEAN Candidate, Dr. Surakiart visited Argentina and Peru which are non-Permanent Members of the UN Security Council.

In Argentina, Dr. Surakiart held extensive discussions with the Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, Garcia Roberto Moritan, on global, regional and bilateral issues. On bilateral cooperation, he signed the Agreement on Visa Exemption and the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation. They discussed the various frameworks to strengthen political and economic cooperation, as well as identified activities to promote people-to-people contacts.

In Peru, Dr. Surakiart held meetings with Vice President Luis Giampietri, Minister of External Affairs Jose Antonio Garcia Belaunde, and Defense Minister Allan Wagner Tizon. They exchanged views on the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. They discussed regional developments and the forging partnership of between the Andean Community and ASEAN, as well as MERCOSUR and ASEAN. On global affairs, they exchanged views on the UN role in Latin America and the reform process.

Dr. Surakiart also visited the Andean Community secretariat where he met with the Acting Secretary General, Alfredo Fuentes Hernandez, and discussed the forging of linkages with ASEAN.

Dr. Surakiart visits Washington D.C. and Utah 7-9 August 2006

As the ASEAN Candidate and the only candidate to have the endorsement of a regional grouping, Dr. Surakiart visited Washington D.C. to meet with the Administration, the State Department and other stakeholders. He exchanged views with Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Robert Kimmit; Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Eric john, and a number of senior officials of the NSC and the State Department, as well as members of the private sector. Issues discussed ranged from global affairs and the situation in the Middle East, to economic development and human rights and democracy.

Dr. Surakiart also visited Salt Lake City where he met with UTAH State Governor Jon Huntsman and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They discussed a wide range of issues including education, economic development, humanitarian assistance, the environment, and family values. Dr. Surakiart, who was heavily involved in the relief efforts in Thailand as a result of the tsunami which struck Thailand in December 2004, had the opportunity to learn more about the Latter-day Saints (LDS) Church's humanitarian aid provided to the tsunami victims.