On 26 September 2013, on the sidelines of the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, held bilateral meetings with several Foreign Ministers to discuss issues of mutual interest and seek support for Thailand’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.

During his meeting with Mr. Luis Fernando Carrera Castro, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong discussed the pending bilateral agreements on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports and on the promotion and protection of investment.  Both Foreign Ministers agreed on reciprocal support for Guatemala’s candidature for the post of Executive Director of the International Sugar Organization (ISO) for the period 2014-2018 and for Thailand’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Mr. Surapong also reiterated Thailand’s commitment, as East Asia Regional Coordinator for the Forum of East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) during 2013-2015, to working closely with Guatemala and all member countries to move forward FEALAC’s agenda, including by hosting the 15th FEALAC Senior Officials’ Meeting in June 2014.

Later, at a meeting with Mr. Hachi Thaci, Prime Minister of Kosovo, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister informed the Kosova Prime Minister that the Thai Cabinet had approved the establishment of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Kosovo.  He also offered his congratulations on the support and recognition that Kosovo had garnered from the international community.

Finally, at a meeting with Mr. Ricardo Patino, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador, Mr. Surapong said he looked forward to more frequent exchanges of high-level visits, trade missions, and enhanced networking between the private sectors of both sides.  After their discussion, both Foreign Ministers signed two bilateral agreements – an Agreement on the Exemption of Visa Requirements for Holders of Diplomatic and Service/Official Passports and a Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Political Consultations – between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility of Ecuador.