On 12 March 2009, Mrs. Rama Yade, Minister of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the French Republic in charge of Foreign Affairs and Human Rights, paid a call on Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who hosted a luncheon in her honour at the Foreign Ministry.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of the partnership between Thailand and France and discussed ways to strengthen the two countries’ cooperation under the bilateral Plan d’Action. Areas of possible cooperation discussed included research and development in areas such as biotechnology, aerospace manufacturing and assembly, and renewable energy, as well as other high-technology areas in which France had a competitive advantage.
They also discussed the strengthening of tripartite cooperation to provide technical assistance to the Mekong countries, including within the framework of the Emerald Triangle between Thailand, Cambodia and Lao PDR.
At the regional level, some the issues discussed were the situation in Myanmar and illegal migration, the outcome of the ASEAN Summit and ASEAN’s role in strengthening regional human rights.
They also exchanged views on measures to weather the global financial crisis and the agenda of the upcoming G20 Summit in London, which Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will be attending in his capacity as ASEAN chairman. Minister Kasit stressed that it was important for the EU to keep its markets open and refrain from protectionism despite the crisis and possible domestic pressure. At the multilateral level, Minister Yade said that France would fully support Thailand’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council in 2011.
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