On 16 December 2010 at 11.40 hrs., Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya held a bilateral meeting with His Excellency Dr. William Habib, Secretary General of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants of the Republic of Lebanon, at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Bangkok, on the sidelines of the Third Asia-Middle East Dialogue Ministerial Meeting (AMED III).
The Lebanese Secretary General expressed his appreciation to Thailand for holding a successful AMED III. Regarding bilateral relations, he noted that though contact between both sides remain limited with no high-level diplomatic representation in their respective countries, greater interaction should be encouraged with a view to enhancing business, commercial, financial and tourism opportunities between them. Noting that a number of Lebanese companies are currently operating in Thailand exporting gems to Lebanon and re-exporting them to third countries, Mr. Habib expressed the view that this could present an opportunity in using Lebanon as a regional hub for business and commerce in the region given the networks of Lebanese doing business in the region. The Lebanese Secretary General also expressed the wish to see exchange of business delegations between Thailand and Lebanon.
On his part, Foreign Minister Kasit affirmed Thailand’s readiness to promote greater cooperation with Lebanon. He also accepted the invitation to visit Lebanon at a mutually convenient opportunity.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th