March 14, 2013, at 1700hrs, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra welcomed President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and wife with an official welcoming ceremony on his state visit to Thailand, followed by a bilateral discussion at the Ivory Room, Thai Khu Fah Building.

Participating in the discussion were PM Yingluck, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal, Deputy Education Minister Sermsak Pongpanich (in his capacity as the Minister-in-Attendance), and PM’s Secretary General Suranand Vejajiva.

The delegation from Equatorial Guinea comprised President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Minister of State to the Presidency of the Republic in charge of Missions, Alejandro Evuna Owono Asangono, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Agapito Mba Mokuy, and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Victoriana Nchama Nsue Okomo.

Following the meeting, PM’s Secretary General Suranand Vejajiva revealed gist of the discussion as follows:

This visit marked the first state visit of the President of Equatorial Guinea and the first high-level visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations (year 1991). Republic of Equatorial Guinea is a unitary semi-presidential republic (presidential term: 7 years).

The current President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has been elected as President of Equatorial Guinea 4 times in a role. Equatorial Guinea is one of the African countries with the highest growth rate particularly since the discovery of off-shore oil reserves. It plays an important role in strengthening relations between Africa and other regions with an aim to be a leading country of the Sub-Saharan Africa region and a commercial hub of the Western Africa.

PM Yingluck first welcomed the President of Equatorial Guinea for his first state visit to Thailand. Both leaders expressed their belief that this visit would benefit the two countries and reinforce mutual relations particularly with the signing of memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the formation of bilateral discussion between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea which took place on the same day. Ever since the implementation of diplomatic relations 22 years ago, Thailand and Equatorial Guinea have witnessed cordial relations. However, both leaders agreed that more cooperation in diversified areas could be developed between the two countries.

On trade and investment, Thailand and Equatorial Guinea saw an 8-times increase of mutual trade value during the past year (total value of 188 million Baht in 2011, and 1,561 million Baht in 2012). According to PM Yingluck, Equatorial Guinea is a country worth exploring by the Thai private sector. The expertise of Thai business in processing of agricultural products, construction, and energy matched well with the fast growing industrial sector of Equatorial Guinea. At the same time, the Equatorial Guinean President had a plan to build a new capital city and would welcome foreign investments for the project.

On energy security, both parties exchanged views and discussed on the energy security policy in which Equatorial Guinea has capacity, and on agriculture, food, and fishery in which Thailand has capacity. Exchange of expertise and more cooperation on the areas were discussed. Equatorial Guinea expressed interest in purchasing rice from Thailand on a long-term basis, whereas Thailand was interested in exchanging cooperation in the area of energy which is a national agenda.

On political security, the Thai Government viewed the ‘South-South Cooperation’ as an important scheme for relations reinforcement among the developing countries. PM Yingluck commended Equatorial Guinea’s active role in the Cooperation, and its success in hosting the 7th Summit of African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Heads of State and Government, and the 3rd Africa – South America Summit. Thailand wished to have such exchange with the African countries which would further lead to discussion framework and establishment of cooperation network between Asia and Africa. Thailand also called for support from Equatorial Guinea in its application for a non-permanent membership of the UN Security Council.

Lastly, both leaders expressed their belief that this visit would benefit the two countries and reinforce mutual relations in the long run.

Following the plenary discussion, PM Yingluck and the President of Equatorial Guinea witnessed the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the formation of bilateral discussion between Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.