¡¡¡¡PHUKET, Thailand, February 20 (Xinhuanet) -- ASEAN member countries want to "provide confidence to international investors that Southeast Asia is a safe place to invest and we will combat terrorism," Thai foreign minister Surakiart Sathirathai said here Wednesday.

¡¡¡¡At the press conference before the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, Surakiart said that even though with no agenda the ministers would exchange ideas directly to achieve understandingsamong the 10 ASEAN members.

¡¡¡¡The retreat would be held here from February 20 to 21.

¡¡¡¡The most important topics at the retreat will be economic cooperation, Surakiart added.

¡¡¡¡The ministers would mainly work for a follow-up of ASEAN declaration adopted at the summit last November, which emphasized economic cooperation and reduction of gap between the old and new members.

¡¡¡¡They would also discuss about ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) and ASEAN Investment Area (AIA) for regional integration movement, he said, adding that the Asia Cooperation Dialogue which was proposedby Thailand would boost trade in the area.

¡¡¡¡On terrorism, Surakiart said the ministers would discuss the political commitment and political will of member countries to cooperate on fighting terrorism. Enditem

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