On 26 September 2011, on the sidelines of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul attended the Luncheon Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
In the meeting, Foreign Minister Surapong reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to work closely with CICA in various areas, particularly in the promotion of SMEs, capacity building for disaster management, border security, fight against transnational crime and narcotics, alternative energy, development of transport linkages and people-to-people contact.
After the CICA Meeting, Foreign Minister Surapong also held bilateral talks with his German, Ukrainian, Iranian and Serbian counterparts. Gist as follows:
In his meeting with Mr. Guido Westweller, Foreign Minister of Germany, Foreign Minister Surapong proposed that activities be held to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Thai-German Diplomatic Relations. He also reiterated Thailand’s commitment to enhancing its relations and cooperation with Germany, especially in the areas of science and technology, renewable energy and innovations in which Germany has expertise.
In his discussion with Mr. Kostyantyn Gryshchenko, Foreign Minister of Ukraine, Foreign Minister Surapong highlighted the importance of bilateral mechanisms to foster the bilateral relations, particularly the 2nd Meeting of Political Consultation and Cooperation between the Thai and Ukrainian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, and the 1st Meeting of the Joint Commission on the Bilateral Cooperation. Furthermore, the Thai Foreign Ministry will send a delegation to visit Ukraine in 2012 to explore further trade and investment opportunities.
On the issue of consular affairs, Foreign Minister Surapong requested the Ukrainian side to consider issuing multiple-entry visas to Thai businessmen who were interested and needed to visit Ukraine for business purposes while the Ukrainian Foreign Minister also made a request for an exemption of tourist visas for the Ukrainian tourists to visit Thailand up to 30 days.
In his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi, Foreign Minister Surapong proposed that there be a follow-up meeting to the 8th Meeting of the Thai-Iranian Joint Commission as well as a Political Consultation Meeting. Foreign Minister Surapong hoped that both meetings would be held in the near future. The convening of the Joint Consular Meeting was also being considered by the relevant agencies in Thailand.
In his meeting with the Serbian Foreign Minister, Mr. Vuk Jeremic, both parties agreed to expedite the signing of the Agreement on the Abolition of Visa Requirement for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders and negotiations on the Convention on the Avoidance of the Double Taxation. Both parties also agreed to increase exchanges of high-level visits which would promote better relations and cooperation, particularly in the economic and education areas.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Surapong also met with Dr. Richard Hass, President of Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). Foreign Minister Surapong informed the CFR President of developments in Thailand, particularly in the political and economic areas as well as the national reconciliation process. He also reaffirmed the importance attached by Thailand to its relations with the U.S., reiterating the Kingdom’s readiness to work closely with the U.S in all dimensions. The CFR President extended an invitation to the Thai Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to address the Council and to meet with the CFR members in the future.
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