During 2-4 July 2010, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya attended the High-Level Democracy Meeting of the Community of Democracies, held in Krakow, Republic of Poland, marking its 10th anniversary of establishment. The Meeting presented member countries with a forum for discussion on strengthening democratization in countries across the globe, focusing this year on how to empower civil society to play a more active role in supporting democratization.
Foreign Minister Kasit used this opportunity to reaffirm Thailand’s commitment to democracy and to working closely with the Community, particularly in terms of democracy education to equip Thai citizens with a better understanding of democracy which does not only include elections, but also issues of accountability, good governance and freedom of expression. To further their cooperation on these and other issues, the Foreign Minister invited the Community’s Warsaw-based Permanent Secretariat to visit Thailand at a mutually convenient time.
On the sidelines of the Meeting, Foreign Minister Kasit also held corridor meetings with his counterparts from Lithuania, Sweden, and Montenegro. With Mr. Audronius A?ubalis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, Foreign Minister Kasit discussed Thailand’s interest in seeking more cooperation in such areas as high technology and the green economy as the Kingdom moves towards a more knowledge-based society.
In his meeting with Mr. Carl Bildt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, the Foreign Minister expressed Thailand’s wish to learn more from Sweden’s experience in democracy development, particularly in the areas of decentralization, civic participation, and transparency.
As for his meeting with Mr. Milan Rocen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, both sides discussed how to forge closer bilateral ties and co-operative endeavours, especially in terms of trade and investment. As for the issue of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Foreign Minister Kasit informed his Montenegrin counterpart that the former prime minister had been actively supporting political activities in Thailand whilst travelling overseas using his Montenegrin passport. Thailand’s respects Montenegro’s sovereign right in this regard and believes that this would not affect both countries’ desire to further develop their bilateral ties. In this connection, the Montenegrin Foreign Minister invited Foreign Minister Kasit to visit Montenegro in the near future to further discuss how to deepen and broaden relations between Thailand and Montenegro.
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