Foreign Secretary meets with Foreign Minister of Thailand
Foreign Secretary William Hague met with Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Foreign Minister of Thailand, at the EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Brunei earlier today.
The Foreign Secretary welcomed Thailand’s recovery following the terrible flooding which hit the country last year. The Ministers discussed UK/Thai economic and trade relations, including the prospects for further investment in both directions, and for Thailand to benefit from British expertise in post-flood reconstruction and infrastructure.
The Foreign Secretary welcomed Surapong Tovichakchaikul’s invitation to pay an official visit to Thailand in the future and said that we looked forward to welcoming the Thai Prime Minister to London during the Olympic Games.
The Ministers discussed developments in South East Asia, in particular the encouraging progress in Burma, and the deepening of EU/ASEAN relations.
Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul briefed the Foreign Secretary on proposed changes to the Thai constitution. The Foreign Secretary welcomed them, and moves to equalise Thai duties on imported and domestic spirits. The Foreign Secretary encouraged Thailand to work toward an EU/Thailand Free Trade Agreement.