Bangkok--Jun 6--MFA
On 4 June 2008 in Amsterdam, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, met his Dutch counterpart, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, as part of the former’s official visit to the Netherlands to attend the Fourth ASEM Interfaith Dialogue Meeting. During the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers agreed to work on a plan of action between Thailand and the Netherlands, which would serve as a roadmap to promote closer bilateral cooperation in all spheres — political, economic and social — including the role of the private sectors of both countries.
Among the various issues discussed was cooperation in the field of logistics and shipbuilding and ship repairing. In this connection, Foreign Minister Noppadon proposed that the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand could collaborate together in the field of ship design and ship hydromechanics, leading perhaps to the establishment of a Thai-Netherlands Shipbuilding Institutions in the future.
Foreign Minister Noppadon also welcomed the establishment of the Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO) in Thailand to facilitate Thai students who wish to further their studies in the Netherlands. In this connection, the provision of scholarships to Thai students was also discussed, particularly those from the Southern border provinces of the Kingdom.
To further promote closer ties at the people-to-people level as well as more business interactions, Foreign Minister Noppadon would also look into the possibility of Thai Airways International resuming its service to Amsterdam, having ceased operations on this route nearly ten years ago.
On regional issues, the two Ministers discussed the situation in Myanmar. In this regard, Foreign Minister Verhagen commended Thailand for its role in facilitating the transport of international humanitarian relief assistance to Myanmar in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. Foreign Minister Verhagen also discussed the issue of Myanmar displaced persons and Lao Hmongs in Thailand. Closer cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union was also discussed with both Ministers expressing satisfaction with on-going negotiations on a free trade agreement.
Later the same day, Foreign Minister Noppadon delivered an address to the Netherlands-Thailand Chamber of Commerce. Speaking before an audience of over 150 leading businessmen, the Minister gave a briefing about the state of the Thai economy, its prospects for future growth, as well as the Royal Thai Government’s efforts to make Thailand even more business friendly by improving upon both the Kingdom’s physical infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : [email protected] End.
-PM-
On 4 June 2008 in Amsterdam, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, met his Dutch counterpart, Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen, as part of the former’s official visit to the Netherlands to attend the Fourth ASEM Interfaith Dialogue Meeting. During the meeting, the two Foreign Ministers agreed to work on a plan of action between Thailand and the Netherlands, which would serve as a roadmap to promote closer bilateral cooperation in all spheres — political, economic and social — including the role of the private sectors of both countries.
Among the various issues discussed was cooperation in the field of logistics and shipbuilding and ship repairing. In this connection, Foreign Minister Noppadon proposed that the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand could collaborate together in the field of ship design and ship hydromechanics, leading perhaps to the establishment of a Thai-Netherlands Shipbuilding Institutions in the future.
Foreign Minister Noppadon also welcomed the establishment of the Netherlands Education Support Office (NESO) in Thailand to facilitate Thai students who wish to further their studies in the Netherlands. In this connection, the provision of scholarships to Thai students was also discussed, particularly those from the Southern border provinces of the Kingdom.
To further promote closer ties at the people-to-people level as well as more business interactions, Foreign Minister Noppadon would also look into the possibility of Thai Airways International resuming its service to Amsterdam, having ceased operations on this route nearly ten years ago.
On regional issues, the two Ministers discussed the situation in Myanmar. In this regard, Foreign Minister Verhagen commended Thailand for its role in facilitating the transport of international humanitarian relief assistance to Myanmar in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. Foreign Minister Verhagen also discussed the issue of Myanmar displaced persons and Lao Hmongs in Thailand. Closer cooperation between ASEAN and the European Union was also discussed with both Ministers expressing satisfaction with on-going negotiations on a free trade agreement.
Later the same day, Foreign Minister Noppadon delivered an address to the Netherlands-Thailand Chamber of Commerce. Speaking before an audience of over 150 leading businessmen, the Minister gave a briefing about the state of the Thai economy, its prospects for future growth, as well as the Royal Thai Government’s efforts to make Thailand even more business friendly by improving upon both the Kingdom’s physical infrastructure and regulatory frameworks.
Prime Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Press Division, Department of Information Tel.(02) 643-5170
Fax. (02) 643-5169 E-mail : [email protected] End.
-PM-