Bangkok--Mar 21--MFA
During the afternoon of 20 March 2008, the second day of Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama’s visit to Washington, D.C., the Minister met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the Department of State. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the strong ties of friendship and co-operation between the two countries, which began 175 years ago with the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce on 20 March 1833.
Secretary Rice also welcomed the return of a democratically-elected government in Thailand, following general elections held last December. In this connection, Foreign Minister Noppadon expressed appreciation for President George W. Bush’s goodwill in telephoning to congratulate Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej upon his appointment and hoped that both the President and Secretary Rice would be able to visit Thailand this year.
Both sides also welcomed the convening of the second Thai-U.S. Strategic Dialogue later this year, which would provide senior Thai and U.S. officials with a chance to discuss broader strategic issues facing both countries, particularly after Thailand assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship this July. Foreign Minister Noppadon also explained Thailand’s policy of “neighbour engagement” to the Secretary of State, through which the Kingdom hoped to strengthen relations with all neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, with whom Thailand shares a 2,401 km. border and has to work closely in order to address the various transborder problems both face. The Foreign Minister also expressed Thailand’s belief that dialogue and engagement would serve as the best means to persuade Myanmar to move forward with its democratization and national reconciliation. He also hoped that the referendum on Myanmar’s new constitution would be credible and inclusive and that Thailand had offered to share its experiences on this matter with the Myanmar authorities.
Both sides also discussed other issues facing the region, with Foreign Minister Noppadon expressing the hope that the U.S. would play a more active role in Southeast Asia and co-operate more closely with ASEAN. In addition, with the U.S. enjoying close relations with both Thailand and Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Noppadon sought U.S. assistance in helping Thailand normalise relations with Saudi Arabia, as relations between both countries have been strained for 19 years because of several outstanding issues between them.
Earlier on the same day, Foreign Minister Noppadon also met with U.S. Attorney-General Michael Mukasey, who thanked the Thai Government for the recent arrest of a suspected international arms dealer in Bangkok. Both sides also expressed satisfaction with their co-operation to tackle other transnational issues, including trough the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) based in Thailand and supported by the U.S.
Dr. Madeleine Albright, President of the Albright Group and former Secretary of State, also called on the Foreign Minister to discuss the political and economic situation in Thailand as her group would be sending a business delegation to Thailand in April to explore investment opportunities.
Later in the afternoon, Foreign Minister Noppadon went to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to deliver an address as part of the Statesmen’ Forum on the topic of “Thai-U.S. Relations in the Changing Political-Economic Landscape of Southeast Asia.” In his remarks, the Minister elaborated on the emerging opportunities in ASEAN, ASEAN-U.S. co-operation, as well as Thai-U.S. relations in the future.
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-
During the afternoon of 20 March 2008, the second day of Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama’s visit to Washington, D.C., the Minister met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice at the Department of State. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the strong ties of friendship and co-operation between the two countries, which began 175 years ago with the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce on 20 March 1833.
Secretary Rice also welcomed the return of a democratically-elected government in Thailand, following general elections held last December. In this connection, Foreign Minister Noppadon expressed appreciation for President George W. Bush’s goodwill in telephoning to congratulate Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej upon his appointment and hoped that both the President and Secretary Rice would be able to visit Thailand this year.
Both sides also welcomed the convening of the second Thai-U.S. Strategic Dialogue later this year, which would provide senior Thai and U.S. officials with a chance to discuss broader strategic issues facing both countries, particularly after Thailand assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship this July. Foreign Minister Noppadon also explained Thailand’s policy of “neighbour engagement” to the Secretary of State, through which the Kingdom hoped to strengthen relations with all neighbouring countries, including Myanmar, with whom Thailand shares a 2,401 km. border and has to work closely in order to address the various transborder problems both face. The Foreign Minister also expressed Thailand’s belief that dialogue and engagement would serve as the best means to persuade Myanmar to move forward with its democratization and national reconciliation. He also hoped that the referendum on Myanmar’s new constitution would be credible and inclusive and that Thailand had offered to share its experiences on this matter with the Myanmar authorities.
Both sides also discussed other issues facing the region, with Foreign Minister Noppadon expressing the hope that the U.S. would play a more active role in Southeast Asia and co-operate more closely with ASEAN. In addition, with the U.S. enjoying close relations with both Thailand and Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Noppadon sought U.S. assistance in helping Thailand normalise relations with Saudi Arabia, as relations between both countries have been strained for 19 years because of several outstanding issues between them.
Earlier on the same day, Foreign Minister Noppadon also met with U.S. Attorney-General Michael Mukasey, who thanked the Thai Government for the recent arrest of a suspected international arms dealer in Bangkok. Both sides also expressed satisfaction with their co-operation to tackle other transnational issues, including trough the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) based in Thailand and supported by the U.S.
Dr. Madeleine Albright, President of the Albright Group and former Secretary of State, also called on the Foreign Minister to discuss the political and economic situation in Thailand as her group would be sending a business delegation to Thailand in April to explore investment opportunities.
Later in the afternoon, Foreign Minister Noppadon went to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to deliver an address as part of the Statesmen’ Forum on the topic of “Thai-U.S. Relations in the Changing Political-Economic Landscape of Southeast Asia.” In his remarks, the Minister elaborated on the emerging opportunities in ASEAN, ASEAN-U.S. co-operation, as well as Thai-U.S. relations in the future.
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-