On 9 December 2019, H.E. Ms. Sandra Erica Jovel Polanco, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Guatemala, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, during her official visit to Thailand as guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during 7-9 December 2019. The gist of discussions is as follows.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand welcomed his Guatemalan counterpart and congratulated her government on the re-opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Guatemala in Bangkok, which will help further strengthen the diplomatic relations of over six decades between the two countries. Both sides agreed that Thailand and Guatemala have much to gain from expanding bilateral cooperation, especially trade and investment and people-to-people relations. Thanks to the ease of travel and advanced communication technologies, distance is no longer an impediment. The Guatemalan Foreign Minister thanked the Thai side for the invitation to visit Bangkok. She also reaffirmed Guatemala’s commitment to expanding relations with Thailand and countries in Asia. Moreover, she extended an invitation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to visit Guatemala and hoped that the Royal Thai Government would consider opening an embassy in Guatemala City in the near future.

 

Both sides viewed that the MOU on Visa Exemption for Diplomatic and Government passports and the MOU on the Promotion and Protection of Investment, which are currently under negotiation, will help foster ties between the two countries. Guatemala would welcome visits of the Thai private sector.

 

The Thai side provided an overview briefing and presented a video clip on the development plan of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to move forward “Thailand 4.0” policy as well as the projects to expand the deep sea port and upgrade U-Tapao Airport. Minister Polanco took interest in Thailand’s development strategy and connectivity projects which link up to China and India. In her view, both countries should combine strengths to promote mutual prosperity of South East Asia and Central America, given both countries’ strategic locations and their leading role within their respective regional groupings. 

 

The two ministers also exchanged views on situations in Latin America during the meeting.