On 13 April 2010, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya accompanied Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri to participate in the Nuclear Security Summit held at Washington Convention Center, Washington DC. The Meeting was an initiative of the US and Russian Presidents with the participation of 45 countries and 3 international organizations, namely the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and the European Union.
On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Trairong made a statement about Thailand’s measures to secure nuclear material and combat illicit trafficking, particularly the international commitment. He also stated the Kingdom’s readiness to join the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) which the Thai authorities concerned will work on necessary procedures accordingly.
In the afternoon, Foreign Minister Kasit had bilateral meetings with Senator Jim Webb (Democrat - Virginia) and Senator Christopher Bond (Republican — Missouri) consecutively at the Senate Office. Both sides exchanged views on the political situation in Thailand and the measures undertaken by the Royal Thai Government on the protection of intellectual property rights, which the US Senators expressed their appreciation to the significant progress made on the matter.
Later, Foreign Minister Kasit joined Deputy Prime Minister Trairong and Mr. Kiat Sittheeamorn, President of Thai Trade Representatives (TTR) to attend the reception to inaugurate the “Friends of Thailand Caucus” at the Capitol Hill, which would be an important mechanism to develop and promote bilateral relations between Thailand and the US. At present, the Caucus comprises 24 members of the US House of Representatives from both the Democrat and the Republican Parties. The Co-Chairs of the Caucus are Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Democrat - Oregon) and Rep. Donald Manzullo (Republican — Illinois).
In the evening, the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and President of TTR had a dinner with the friends of Thailand in the US, hosted by the Ambassador of Thailand to the US at his residence.
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