promoting economic integration of ASEAN is also an important element. With a population of 575 million, bigger than the EU, the scale of the ASEAN economy today is less than 8 percent of the EU. These figures tell us about the growth potential of ASEAN as a region. If ASEAN as an economic entity could improve its economic efficiency to be like that of the EU, ASEAN could become even more competitive in attracting investments. If ASEAN countries make continuous efforts to integrate their economies and to improve the connectivity within its region as the EU has done over the years, that would lead to improved international competitiveness and prosperity for Thailand. With the economic integrity of ASEAN as an overarching objective, we should at the same time enhance the cooperation among Japan and Mekong region countries.