Thailand will propose a regulardialogue between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to ensureSoutheast Asia maintains a link with the powerful group.

The proposal will be made at the ASEAN Energy Ministers’ meeting to beheld on July 27-30 in Myanmar, Thai Energy Minister Wannarat Channukulsaid.

The proposed dialogue at both expert and ministerial levels, will helpensure accurate information and minimize speculation on energy trading,Wannarat said, adding that the initiative will provide a link betweenASEAN and OPEC after Indonesia withdrew as Asia's only member of OPECin January.

The ASEAN Energy Ministers’ meeting will discuss an ASEAN Plan ofAction for Energy Cooperation for 2010-2015. The plan will cover ASEANpower grids, trans-ASEAN gas pipeline, clean coal technology, renewableenergy, energy efficiency and conservation, regional energy policy anddevelopment programme as well as nuclear energy.

Representatives from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) willalso attend the meeting and discuss a draft on an oil stockpilingroadmap.

Last year, ASEAN ministers together with China, Japan and the RoK - agroup known as ASEAN+3 - agreed to strengthen cooperation in energysecurity and oil stockpiling, which will be done on a "voluntary andnon-binding" basis.

ASEAN comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./.