Bangkok--Feb 25--MFA
While attending the ASEAN FM Retreat, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia which provided him the opportunity to follow up on outstanding issues and to discuss preparations for future visits by the Prime Minister.
On 20 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon met with Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo. Foreign Minister Noppadon took this opportunity to follow up on the interest expressed by Philippine President Gloria Arroyo to enter into a long-term arrangement with Thailand to purchase rice. In response, Foreign Secretary Romulo said he would follow up the issue with the relevant agency concerned.
On 20 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon also met his Indonesian counterpart Dr. Hassan Wirajuda, during which the Thai side expressed its desire to expand even further Thai-Indonesian cooperation in the field of fisheries. In this regard, Foreign Minister Noppadon hoped that Indonesia would develop its infrastructure for fisheries-related industry further which would make Indonesia more attractive for foreign entrepreneurs. In addition, regarding Thai nationals currently detained in Indonesia as illegal foreign fishermen, Foreign Minister Noppadon said that Thailand was willing to take back the twenty whose Thai citizenships have been confirmed. Foreign Minister Noppadon also brought up the possibility of arranging a trade deal for Thai rice and Indonesia’s Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) as well as further promoting cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. Lastly Foreign Minister Noppadon expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s support, especially within the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), for Thailand’s approach to resolving the situation in the Southern Border Provinces.
On the same day, Foreign Minister Noppadon also met With Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Pham Gia Khiem, during which the Thai Foreign Minister proposed that both sides should make the most of the East-West Economic Corridor, especially in finding a win-win solution on the issue of Right-Hand-Drive in Vietnam, which uses Left-Hand-Drive vehicles. At the same time, both sides agreed to convene the Joint Cabinet Retreat as soon as possible.
On 21 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. Among other things, the two foreign ministers discuss the inscription of the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site. Foreign Minister Noppadon reassured his counterpart that Thailand did not object to the inscription, but wanted to make sure that it would not prejudice both sides’ claims over the overlapping area. Both sides also discussed the upcoming official visit to Cambodia by the Thai Prime Minister scheduled to take place on 3 — 4 March 2008. On the issue of Cambodian workers in Thailand, Foreign Minister Noppadon reassured DPM Hor Namhong that Thailand would provide them with protection and assistance in accordance with Thai immigration laws and humanitarian principles.
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-
While attending the ASEAN FM Retreat, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Cambodia which provided him the opportunity to follow up on outstanding issues and to discuss preparations for future visits by the Prime Minister.
On 20 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon met with Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo. Foreign Minister Noppadon took this opportunity to follow up on the interest expressed by Philippine President Gloria Arroyo to enter into a long-term arrangement with Thailand to purchase rice. In response, Foreign Secretary Romulo said he would follow up the issue with the relevant agency concerned.
On 20 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon also met his Indonesian counterpart Dr. Hassan Wirajuda, during which the Thai side expressed its desire to expand even further Thai-Indonesian cooperation in the field of fisheries. In this regard, Foreign Minister Noppadon hoped that Indonesia would develop its infrastructure for fisheries-related industry further which would make Indonesia more attractive for foreign entrepreneurs. In addition, regarding Thai nationals currently detained in Indonesia as illegal foreign fishermen, Foreign Minister Noppadon said that Thailand was willing to take back the twenty whose Thai citizenships have been confirmed. Foreign Minister Noppadon also brought up the possibility of arranging a trade deal for Thai rice and Indonesia’s Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) as well as further promoting cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector. Lastly Foreign Minister Noppadon expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s support, especially within the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), for Thailand’s approach to resolving the situation in the Southern Border Provinces.
On the same day, Foreign Minister Noppadon also met With Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mr. Pham Gia Khiem, during which the Thai Foreign Minister proposed that both sides should make the most of the East-West Economic Corridor, especially in finding a win-win solution on the issue of Right-Hand-Drive in Vietnam, which uses Left-Hand-Drive vehicles. At the same time, both sides agreed to convene the Joint Cabinet Retreat as soon as possible.
On 21 February 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hor Namhong. Among other things, the two foreign ministers discuss the inscription of the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage Site. Foreign Minister Noppadon reassured his counterpart that Thailand did not object to the inscription, but wanted to make sure that it would not prejudice both sides’ claims over the overlapping area. Both sides also discussed the upcoming official visit to Cambodia by the Thai Prime Minister scheduled to take place on 3 — 4 March 2008. On the issue of Cambodian workers in Thailand, Foreign Minister Noppadon reassured DPM Hor Namhong that Thailand would provide them with protection and assistance in accordance with Thai immigration laws and humanitarian principles.
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-