Bangkok--Mar 24--MFA
On 21 March 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama met with Mr. Stephen Hadley, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or more commonly known as the National Security Advisor.
Given the importance of the U.S. market for Thai exports, the Foreign Minister expressed hope that the U.S. would restore to Thailand GSP privileges on gold jewelry which was withdrawn in 2007. The Minister noted that the resumption of GSP on this product would greatly improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of workers directly affected, particularly as many of them live in southern Thailand.
Regarding the upcoming designation of countries under Special 301 of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act, Foreign Minister Noppadon also hoped that Thailand would be upgraded from the Priority Watch List (PWL) to the Watch List (WL), as during the past year there has been much progress in the protection of international property rights (IPR) in Thailand, with over 7,000 arrests made and 3.7 million counterfeit items seized.
Myanmar was another issue discussed during the meeting. In this connection, the Foreign Minister reiterated Thailand’s policy of “Neighbour Engagement” which sought to enhance dialogue and engagement with all of Thailand’s neighbouring countries, including Myanmar. Thailand believes that dialogue and engagement are the best means to persuade the Myanmar Government to keep up the momentum of political progress in the country and that the use of sanctions may not yield the desired results. To this end, the Foreign Minister floated the idea of holding multi-party talks on this issue, to which Myanmar as well as countries such as China, India, and the U.S. would be involved. This proposal is still being formulated and further details would be released.
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-
On 21 March 2008, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama met with Mr. Stephen Hadley, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or more commonly known as the National Security Advisor.
Given the importance of the U.S. market for Thai exports, the Foreign Minister expressed hope that the U.S. would restore to Thailand GSP privileges on gold jewelry which was withdrawn in 2007. The Minister noted that the resumption of GSP on this product would greatly improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of workers directly affected, particularly as many of them live in southern Thailand.
Regarding the upcoming designation of countries under Special 301 of the 1974 U.S. Trade Act, Foreign Minister Noppadon also hoped that Thailand would be upgraded from the Priority Watch List (PWL) to the Watch List (WL), as during the past year there has been much progress in the protection of international property rights (IPR) in Thailand, with over 7,000 arrests made and 3.7 million counterfeit items seized.
Myanmar was another issue discussed during the meeting. In this connection, the Foreign Minister reiterated Thailand’s policy of “Neighbour Engagement” which sought to enhance dialogue and engagement with all of Thailand’s neighbouring countries, including Myanmar. Thailand believes that dialogue and engagement are the best means to persuade the Myanmar Government to keep up the momentum of political progress in the country and that the use of sanctions may not yield the desired results. To this end, the Foreign Minister floated the idea of holding multi-party talks on this issue, to which Myanmar as well as countries such as China, India, and the U.S. would be involved. This proposal is still being formulated and further details would be released.
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-