With reference to the official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand of H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, from 7 to 10 March 2013, to enhance the cordial relationship between Thailand and Equatorial Guinea.

H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, in his capacity as President of the Cooperation Forum of Africa and South America States (ASACOF), is obliged to attend the funeral of H.E. Mr Hugo Chavez of the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela and therefore must postpone his official visit to Thailand to 13 to 16 March 2013.

To note, Thailand and Equatorial Guinea established diplomatic relations in 1991. Equatorial Guinea’s economic growth is one of the highest in Africa and the country is playing a key role in strengthening cooperation between Africa and other regions.

On 14 March 2013, after the welcoming ceremony at the Government House, H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo will meet with H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand. Topics of discussion will include various bilateral and regional issues, especially trade, investment and technical cooperation. H.E. Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra will also host a dinner in honour of the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and his delegation at Santi Maitri Building.

During the visit, H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo will visit an innovative building material centre and Thai petroleum facilities. The President will also lead a group of Equatorial Guinean businessmen, who will meet with potential Thai investors from various areas including trade, energy and construction, in order to promote awareness of investment opportunities in Equatorial Guinea. 

H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo is the first Equatorial Guinean President to pay an official visit to Thailand since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The visit marks the beginning of mutually constructive bilateral ties between the two countries, as well as the importance that Thailand attaches to strengthening the relationship with Equatorial Guinea, as well as with African countries as a whole, within the South-South Cooperation framework. It provides an excellent opportunity for Thailand and Equatorial Guinea to expand cooperation in various areas, both at bilateral and multilateral levels, as well as to promote better understanding at the people-to-people level for the mutual benefit of both countries.