On 3 October 2009, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs attended the 2nd Foreign Ministers’ Meeting of the Emerald Triangle Cooperation in Siem Reap, the Kingdom of Cambodia. The meeting was to review current progress and find more ways to further promote cooperation in other areas, in addition to the field of tourism, such as infrastructure development, agriculture, trade promotion, and partnership for development under the theme “Emerald Triangle: Cooperation for Green Development”. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia and was joined by Dr. Thonloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao People’s Democratic Republic.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Kasit emphasized that an efficient and integrated transport network in the Emerald Triangle is vital for realizing its full economic potential as well as enhancing the attractiveness of the sub-region as a production, tourism and investment destination and narrowing development gap. Foreign Minister Kasit also reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to continue providing training programmes for officials and expertise from Cambodia and Lao PDR.
The meeting exchanged their views on the future cooperation in line with the overall goals expressed in the Pakse Declaration, and also agreed to extend their cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, agriculture, education and trade promotion, with a view to achieve poverty alleviation and sustainable economic growth, in border area. The Ministers also agreed to convene the Working Group as early as possible in order to prepare a Plan of Action on all related areas of cooperation for the mutual benefit as well as to explore how existing infrastructure be developed.
The Meeting welcomed Thailand’s offer to host the First Summit of the Emerald Triangle Cooperation next year.
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