On 22 July 2009 at 14.00 hrs, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand met with Mr. Yang Jiechi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, on the sidelines of the 42nd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phuket, Thailand, said Ms. Vimol Kidchob, Spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.
The Chinese Foreign Minister expressed appreciation to Foreign Minister Kasit for Thailand’s preparations in hosting the 42nd AMM/PMC and confidence in Thailand’s role as Chairman of ASEAN. Foreign Minister Kasit also thanked the Chinese Foreign Minister for attending the meeting, and for China’s excellent hospitality during the Thai Prime Minister’s successful visit to China last month. The Thai side praised China for its positive role in ASEAN and its related meetings, which, Thailand was confident, would contribute to their success.
During the talks, both sides discussed the enhancement of cooperation in agriculture, investment, tourism and overall trade. On the UN, both sides discussed the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), an issue to which China attached great importance and which will be further discussed between both countries’ permanent missions in New York.
In addition, the Ministers exchanged views on a possible East Asia Summit free trade area. Thailand was of the view that such an FTA would need to be considered carefully in detail, to ensure complementarity and avoid overlapping with the numerous existing free trade areas.
The spokeswoman stated that Foreign Minister Kasit has met with the Chinese Foreign Minister three times in the past four months which reflects the close relations between the two countries.
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