On January 2, 2009, Mr. Jim Webb, United States Senator from Virginia and a prominent member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who was on a visit to Thailand as part of his regional trip, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
On January 2, 2009, Mr. Jim Webb, United States Senator from Virginia and a prominent member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who was on a visit to Thailand as part of his regional trip, paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
During the discussion, Foreign Minister Kasit emphasized the Government’s principle of good governance and its determination and devotion to work for the people. He also reiterated Thai people’s strong believe in democracy. Stressing the importance of opening up the society, Senator Webb appreciated how advance Thailand is in terms of freedom of the press.
Foreign Minister Kasit thanked Senator Webb for his continuous role in promoting closer Thai — U.S. relations. With both Thailand and the United States having a new Government, Foreign Minister Kasit suggested that it was time for both countries to reexamine the bilateral relations and develop a strategy on how to move forward for mutual benefit of the peoples. Senator Webb proposed to arrange for Foreign Minister Kasit to meet with other key persons on foreign policy issues in the U.S. Congress when Foreign Minister visits Washington, D.C. He also encouraged more Members of the Thai Parliament to visit Washington, D.C.
Both discussed Thailand’s ASEAN Chairmanship and latest status of the ASEAN Human Rights Body. Foreign Minister Kasit stressed the significance of having the U.S. Secretary of State attending the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference and ASEAN Regional Forum and hope that Thailand would get to welcome Secretary Hillary Clinton this year. Senator Webb emphasized on how important a strong Southeast Asia and its partnership is to the United States and would share the information gathered from this trip with the Secretary of State Designate Clinton.
Foreign Minister Kasit also took this opportunity to host a luncheon in honor of Senator Webb.
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