Bangkok--Nov 12--MFA
Mr. Sven Alkalaj, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will pay an official visit to Thailand as guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 11-13 November 2007, which will be the first high-level visit from the Bosnian side since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Bosnia in 2000.
Mr. Alkalaj’s visit to Thailand is part of his visit to Southeast Asia to promote economic cooperation between Bosnia and the region. During the visit, Mr. Alkalaj is scheduled to call on Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram on 12 November 2007 to discuss bilateral issues, ranging from cooperation in trade, Halal food (40 % of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s population are Muslims), bilateral agreements and possibility of setting up an Honorary Consulate Office in each other’s country. The two Foreign Ministers will exchange views on cooperation in international organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference, as well as share information and experiences on political situation in both countries. The Bosnian Foreign Minister is also scheduled to meet with representatives from the Board of Trade of Thailand. Mr. Sven Alkalaj has a fond memory of Thailand as he was the Managing Director of Energoinvest, a leading Bosnian engineering company, in Thailand from 1988 to 1994.
The relations between Thailand and Bosnia and Herzegovina have always been close and cordial. Thailand was among the first nations that recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina’s independence from Yugoslavia, and the two countries established diplomatic relations with each other on 14 February 2000. The Royal Thai Embassy in Budapest is accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the Bosnian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is accredited to Thailand. Although the two countries have just established their diplomatic relations for seven years, they have enjoyed amicable relations long before that. HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn paid an official visit to Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it was part of Yugoslavia in August 1989.
Thailand is also proud of her part in the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIB) in which Thai Police Officers were sent to participate in the Mission from 1997 to 2000. Bosnia and Herzegovina also maintains a friendly relation with Thailand in various international organizations, including in the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). With regards to bilateral economic relations, even though the combined trade volume between the two countries is still minimal, Bosnia and Herzegovina is an appealing emerging market that offers attractive opportunity to Thai businessmen. For instance, rice which is Thailand’s major export is an important part of Bosnians’ diet, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is an exporter of various raw materials that may be of interest to Thai industry, namely, steel, aluminum, and bauxite. Furthermore, Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses a keen interest in cooperating with Thailand on Halal food science, with a view to developing its country as a hub for Halal food in the European Union.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-
Mr. Sven Alkalaj, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, will pay an official visit to Thailand as guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 11-13 November 2007, which will be the first high-level visit from the Bosnian side since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Bosnia in 2000.
Mr. Alkalaj’s visit to Thailand is part of his visit to Southeast Asia to promote economic cooperation between Bosnia and the region. During the visit, Mr. Alkalaj is scheduled to call on Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram on 12 November 2007 to discuss bilateral issues, ranging from cooperation in trade, Halal food (40 % of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s population are Muslims), bilateral agreements and possibility of setting up an Honorary Consulate Office in each other’s country. The two Foreign Ministers will exchange views on cooperation in international organizations such as the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference, as well as share information and experiences on political situation in both countries. The Bosnian Foreign Minister is also scheduled to meet with representatives from the Board of Trade of Thailand. Mr. Sven Alkalaj has a fond memory of Thailand as he was the Managing Director of Energoinvest, a leading Bosnian engineering company, in Thailand from 1988 to 1994.
The relations between Thailand and Bosnia and Herzegovina have always been close and cordial. Thailand was among the first nations that recognized Bosnia and Herzegovina’s independence from Yugoslavia, and the two countries established diplomatic relations with each other on 14 February 2000. The Royal Thai Embassy in Budapest is accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the Bosnian Embassy in Kuala Lumpur is accredited to Thailand. Although the two countries have just established their diplomatic relations for seven years, they have enjoyed amicable relations long before that. HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn paid an official visit to Sarajevo, the capital city of Bosnia and Herzegovina, when it was part of Yugoslavia in August 1989.
Thailand is also proud of her part in the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIB) in which Thai Police Officers were sent to participate in the Mission from 1997 to 2000. Bosnia and Herzegovina also maintains a friendly relation with Thailand in various international organizations, including in the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). With regards to bilateral economic relations, even though the combined trade volume between the two countries is still minimal, Bosnia and Herzegovina is an appealing emerging market that offers attractive opportunity to Thai businessmen. For instance, rice which is Thailand’s major export is an important part of Bosnians’ diet, while Bosnia and Herzegovina is an exporter of various raw materials that may be of interest to Thai industry, namely, steel, aluminum, and bauxite. Furthermore, Bosnia and Herzegovina expresses a keen interest in cooperating with Thailand on Halal food science, with a view to developing its country as a hub for Halal food in the European Union.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : div0704@mfa.go.th End.
-PM-