Welcoming Remarks by Deputy Leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party, 
and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand H.E. Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai 

Your Royal Highness, 

Your Excellency Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, Leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party and Prime Minister of Thailand, 

Your Excellency Samdech Hun Sen, Vice-President of Cambodian People's Party and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia,

Your Excellency Speaker Jose de Venecia, Chairman of the Standing Committee, Excellencies, 

Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps, 

Distinguished Guests, 

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

It is an honour and a privilege for me to extend on behalf of all the five Thai political parties, namely the Thai Rak Thai, the Democrat, the Chart Pattana, the Chart Thai, and the Rasadorn Party, as well as the people of Thailand a very warm welcome to you all to Thailand and to the Second International Conference of Asian Political Parties or ICAPP. 

Thailand takes pride in carrying the torch ignited by the First International Conference of Asian Political Parties in Manila in the year 2000. The unique opportunity for political parties from Asian countries to share the same platform to discuss together, for the first time, issues of common interests in Manila over two years ago have proved very fruitful. Attending the Manila Conference on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the Leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party, I, like many of us here, continue to value the experience and contacts cultivated during the First Conference. It was also at this Manila conference where I had the honour to advocate His Excellency Dr. Thaksin's initiative for Asia-wide cooperation, in the form of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue or ACD, which was inaugurated at the ministerial meeting in Thailand last June. 

Therefore, when Speaker Jose de Venecia, Chairman of the Standing Committee, approached me proposing Thailand to host the second of this conference, I immediately conveyed the message to His Excellency Dr. Thaksin, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party. It was without hesitation that the Thai Rak Thai Party in close consultations with the political parties of Thailand decided to play host to this August gathering. Following our hosting of ACD which represents an Asia-wide government forum, this conference represents an Asia-wide forum for legislators and members of political parties, both of which are complementary to one another. 

This Second Conference is envisaged to build upon the momentum in enhancing dialogue and forging partnership amongst and between political organizations, public and private sectors, academics and civil society in Asia with a shared vision for a prosperous Asia. As recognized by the Manila Conference, governments come and go whilst political parties endure. Therefore, political parties play a pivotal role in promoting sustainable development of Asian nation's democratic fabric for our future generations. Forging a network of political parties in Asia is to lay foundation for a stronger Asia-wide cooperation. 

It is inspiring that participating at this Second International Conference are dignitaries who include heads of governments, present and former, house speakers, ministers and distinguished representatives from over 70 political parties of almost 30 countries, spanning from all corners of the Asian continent. The distinguished participants are key policy makers in their fields. They can give valuable guidance and direction in moving us closer to our shared goals of peace and prosperity in Asia. 

The Conference will serve as a forum for political parties in Asia to seek common approaches and mechanisms in enhancing democratic governance, promoting economic development, addressing regional security issues, ensuring social justice and human dignity. Apart from the plenary session, three workshops will be organized concurrently during the Conference to enhance our cooperation: one on Political Dimension; one on Economic Dimension; and one on Social Dimension. A summary of each workshop will be presented at the Plenary Session before the Closing Ceremony tomorrow afternoon. 

Excellencies,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

As Chairman of the National Organizing Committee, I wish to express our appreciation to the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Hanns Seidel Foundation, and the King Prajadhipok's Institute for their recognition of importance of this Conference and for their invaluable support and cooperation. 

May I now have the honour to invite His Excellency Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, Leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party and Prime Minister of Thailand, to deliver his Opening and Keynote Statement. Mr. Prime Minister.