H.E. Mrs. Monica Juma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya, paid a visit to Thailand during 1-2 December 2019 as part of a Southeast Asia tour for Kenya’s United Nations Security Council (UNSC) campaign. On this occasion, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya paid a courtesy call on H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the Government House, and had a bilateral meeting with and a luncheon hosted by H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

 

At the meeting between the two Foreign Ministers, both sides recognised the importance of each other as the regional hubs for trade and investment which forms a strong foundation for the constructive engagement between the two regions. In this regard, the Kenyan side has asked for Thailand’s support and cooperation in the areas of maritime security, fishery, aquaculture and direct investment under Kenya’s “Big Four Agenda” which are food security, affordable housing, universal health coverage and manufacturing industry. The Thai side encouraged more people to people exchange by utilising the direct flights 7 times per week between Thailand and Kenya. Furthermore, both sides have agreed to convene the 2nd Joint Commission (JC) between Thailand and Kenya in 2020.

 

During the courtesy call on the Prime Minister of Thailand, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation, through Minister Juma, to the President of the Republic of Kenya upon receiving the congratulatory note on the coronation of His Majesty the King as well as Prime Minister’s assumption of the office. Both sides have agreed to further strengthen Thai-Kenya relations both bilaterally and multilaterally. In the multilateral fora, Thailand and Kenya have been successfully elected to many treaty bodies and international organisations by the exchange of votes. At the regional level, Thailand and Kenya recognises the importance of their roles as a gateway to Southeast Asia and East Africa, respectively. On the economic front, Kenya seeks cooperation in the area of “Blue Economy” such as maritime security and fishery especially under the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) framework. At the bilateral level, Prime Minister was pleased that Thailand and Kenya have agreed to finalise remaining pending agreements at the earliest opportunity. Both sides agreed to increase the trade and investment volume on the potential areas such fishery and agro-processing. The Prime Minister also suggested that the Kenyan side may consider using fine-quality Thai rubber materials for road construction in Kenya. Minister Juma, on behalf of the Kenyan Government, extended an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit the Republic of Kenya at a convenient opportunity. Thailand also confirmed its support to Kenya’s UNSC candidature and thanked the Kenyan side for its valuable support to Thailand’s candidature to the Executive Board of the UNESCO.

 

Thailand and Kenya have enjoyed cordial ties and close cooperation since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1967. Kenya is Thailand’s largest trading partner in East Africa while Thailand is Kenya’s key partner in Southeast Asia. Over the decades, both sides have enjoyed the exchange of visit at all levels. This visit of the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kenya to Thailand was another opportunity for further strengthening closer and deeper relations between the two countries.