It is with pride that we welcome our liberal allies and colleagues from CALD and LI to Bangkok, in this auspicious commemoration of CALD's 15th anniversary. At a time of turmoil and uncertainty in our region and the world, we take stock of what CALD has been through, accomplished – and contributed to the evolution of democracy in Asia.
Indeed, we have witnessed, as we continue to witness, watershed events in the democratic journeys of our countries. Some of our struggles are more daunting than others; Burma's repressive regime remains a hideous blight on Asia's map of expanding freedoms and growing economies, even as Aung San Suu Kyi's unwavering fight for her country's emancipation continue to provide great inspiration and hope for all of the member parties of CALD and freedom-fighters all over the world.
The contestation over ideas and visions of a future inheres as a basic dynamic in any democratic system. In so-called transition economies and democracies like ours, the challenge for our liberal democratic parties is to ensure that such competition occurs within the parameters of credible and free elections, accountable and transparent governance, and the rule of law.
While we celebrate the expanding of democratic spaces and peaceful people-power movements in our countries, we eschew violent means to resolve our conflicts. As liberals, we must tirelessly continue to promote dialogue and seek common ground in mediating disparate interests and opposing positions.
CALD's 15th anniversary – with the support and participation of LI, ALDE, NDI and FNF - augurs well for the future of our mandate of safeguarding democracies in Asia. From our founding in 1993 in this city, we return to our roots and recommit ourselves to the complex, ever-in-flux, never-finished task of enshrining human rights and freedoms and keeping democracy safe and functioning in the face of great societal and global challenges.
Long live democracy and liberalism! Welcome to Thailand.
H.E. Abhisit Vejjajiva
Prime Minister
Kingdom of Thailand
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