On 9 March 2009, Mr.Douglas Harvey Monro Gibson, South African Ambassador to Thailand and Mr. Richard Titus Ekai, Kenyan Ambassador to Thailand paid a courtesy call on Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Foreign Minister Kasit informed the ambassadors of the objective of the meeting which aims to provide an opportunity for both sides to consult and exchange views of various issues, such as ways and means to strengthen bilateral ties between Thailand and African countries in accordance with the Royal Thai Government’s policy,mutual cooperation in the international community,review of the roles of international organizations in resolving economic problems, access to African markets, especially in the agricultural sector, and developing assistance to African countries, especially on food and technical assistance.
The South African Ambassador requested Thailand to push for closer economic cooperation between the two sides. Foreign Minister Kasit agreed to support South Africa in hosting the 2nd Thai — South African SOM by the end of this year in Pretoria.In addition, the Thai side expressed its support for South Africa to host the 3rd Joint Commission on Trade chaired by Ministers of Commerce of the two countries in Pretoria, at the earliest opportunity to explore trade potentials of the two sides in the future.
The Kenyan Ambassador to Thailand expressed his appreciation to the technical assistance continuously rendered by Thailand to Kenya as development partner under the framework of south-south cooperation in the field of human resources. The Kenyan Ambassador also urged the Thai side to push for closer economic corporation for a more balanced trade between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Kasit also took the opportunity to brief the African Ambassadors on present Thailand’s political situation and the government’s effort to restore confidence to the Kingdom.He informed the African side of Prime Minister Abhisit’s upcoming visit to United Kingdom as ASEAN Chairman and his attendance of G-20 meeting in London in early April.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th