On 23 August 2010, at the Foreign Ministry, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a bilateral talk with Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, during the latter’s official visit to the Kingdom as guest of the Thai Foreign Ministry.
The discussion between the two Foreign Ministers covered all areas of mutual interest in Thai — Japan relations. Both sides also followed up common issues of concern of the two countries. The visit by Foreign Minister Okada was the first official visit of Japanese Foreign Minister to Thailand in the last 6 years. Gist as follows:
Thai — Japan relations and cooperation On the bilateral front, the Thai side reaffirmed close and cordial relations between Thailand and Japan in all aspects and at all levels, particularly economic cooperation for which Japan is considered as the 1st trading partner of Thailand. In addition, the Japan — Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA), which came into effect on 1 November 2007, has also helped in strengthening cooperation in the fields of economics, trade and investment in more diversified business sectors. At the regional level, Thailand stands ready to cooperate with Japan as a “Development Partner” in the Greater Mekong Sub—region (GMS) in order to narrow the development gap in the four new members of ASEAN (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam — CLMV). The reduction of the development gap will also help alleviate transnational crimes and strengthen ASEAN by promoting its status in the international community. At the multilateral level, both sides shared the views on the significance of the UN Security Council reform so as to maintain the relevance of this important international organization to the current changing world.
The death of Mr. Hiroyuki Muramoto, a Japanese journalist The Japanese Foreign Minister enquired about the progress of the investigation on the cause of death of Mr. Hiroyuki Muramoto, a Japanese journalist. Foreign Minister Kasit stressed that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has expedited the investigation of the case and the Royal Thai Government has attached great importance to the matter. The Thai Foreign Minister will continue to follow up and provide information on the development of this matter to the Japanese side accordingly.
The issue of the Map Ta Phut industrial estate The Thai side would expedite to identify the projects that are not covered by rules and regulations concerned, so that they could continue their operations. As for the issue, the Royal Thai Government is aware of the financial burden on the affected businesses. Foreign Minister Kasit also reaffirmed that after the issue is resolved, a clear standard operating procedure (SOP) on the matter will be set to prevent such problem in the future.
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