Bangkok--May 2--MFA
On 30 April 2008, Mr. Matthew P. Daley, President of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) together with USABC members paid a courtesy call on Mr. Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The USABC delegation was visiting Bangkok to attend the Business Summit: Thailand-US Partnership Success Stories, organized on 29 April 2008 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations.
The USABC delegation expressed appreciation to the Foreign Minister for his warm welcome as well as commended the Foreign Ministry for its excellent organization of the Business Summit and reception held to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations. On this occasion, Foreign Minister Noppadon answered questions posed by the delegation on a number of issues, including the following.
1. Joint Maritime Development Areas between Thailand and Cambodia
Foreign Minister Noppadon confirmed the cordial relations that Thailand enjoys with the four countries bordering the Kingdom, including Cambodia. He was therefore optimistic that negotiations on the Joint Maritime Development Areas between the two countries would be concluded by the end of the year for the mutual benefit of both sides in the field of energy. At the same time, Thailand was concerned about the Inscription of the Preah Vihear Temple on the UNESCO World Heritage List as 4.6 square kilometers remain an overlapping claimed area. The Foreign Minister hoped that both sides could develop a joint management arrangement for the said area prior to the Inscription.
2. Compulsory Licensing
Representatives from Merck and Pfizer Pharmaceutical Companies informed the Foreign Minister of their meeting with Dr. Surapong Suebwonglee, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, who strongly supported the establishment of a Joint Committee shared by three Ministries, namely, the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Commerce, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this context, the Foreign Minister agreed that proper consultations should be encouraged and anticipated that the said Joint Committee should be activated within two months.
3. Political Situation in Myanmar
Foreign Minister Noppadon stated that Thailand respects the approach adopted by Western countries to promote democracy in Myanmar. However, Thailand views economic sanctions implemented by the West as productive for neither Myanmar nor Thailand. Thailand does not have the luxury of distance as do countries in the West as the Kingdom is burdened with problems directly related to the economic situation in Myanmar, such as drug trafficking, undocumented workers and displaced persons. In this context, Thailand’s “Neighbour Engagement” policy was aimed at promoting closer communication with and assistance to Myanmar, which Thailand hoped would be more effective. The Foreign Minister also expressed his optimism about the outcome of the referendum in Myanmar, which he was confident that would pave the way towards general elections in 2010.
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 30 April 2008, Mr. Matthew P. Daley, President of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) together with USABC members paid a courtesy call on Mr. Noppadon Pattama, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The USABC delegation was visiting Bangkok to attend the Business Summit: Thailand-US Partnership Success Stories, organized on 29 April 2008 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations.
The USABC delegation expressed appreciation to the Foreign Minister for his warm welcome as well as commended the Foreign Ministry for its excellent organization of the Business Summit and reception held to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Thai-US relations. On this occasion, Foreign Minister Noppadon answered questions posed by the delegation on a number of issues, including the following.
1. Joint Maritime Development Areas between Thailand and Cambodia
Foreign Minister Noppadon confirmed the cordial relations that Thailand enjoys with the four countries bordering the Kingdom, including Cambodia. He was therefore optimistic that negotiations on the Joint Maritime Development Areas between the two countries would be concluded by the end of the year for the mutual benefit of both sides in the field of energy. At the same time, Thailand was concerned about the Inscription of the Preah Vihear Temple on the UNESCO World Heritage List as 4.6 square kilometers remain an overlapping claimed area. The Foreign Minister hoped that both sides could develop a joint management arrangement for the said area prior to the Inscription.
2. Compulsory Licensing
Representatives from Merck and Pfizer Pharmaceutical Companies informed the Foreign Minister of their meeting with Dr. Surapong Suebwonglee, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, who strongly supported the establishment of a Joint Committee shared by three Ministries, namely, the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Commerce, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this context, the Foreign Minister agreed that proper consultations should be encouraged and anticipated that the said Joint Committee should be activated within two months.
3. Political Situation in Myanmar
Foreign Minister Noppadon stated that Thailand respects the approach adopted by Western countries to promote democracy in Myanmar. However, Thailand views economic sanctions implemented by the West as productive for neither Myanmar nor Thailand. Thailand does not have the luxury of distance as do countries in the West as the Kingdom is burdened with problems directly related to the economic situation in Myanmar, such as drug trafficking, undocumented workers and displaced persons. In this context, Thailand’s “Neighbour Engagement” policy was aimed at promoting closer communication with and assistance to Myanmar, which Thailand hoped would be more effective. The Foreign Minister also expressed his optimism about the outcome of the referendum in Myanmar, which he was confident that would pave the way towards general elections in 2010.
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-