On 11 – 12 December 2016, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates upon the invitation of H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE.

The purpose of the visit is to follow up the 1st Joint Commission (JC) on Economic, Trade and Technical Cooperation between Thailand and the UAE, which was hosted by the Thai side and co-chaired by the Foreign Ministers of both countries during 11-12 May 2016.

During the visit, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand had a bilateral meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE and expressed his appreciation that H.H. Shiekh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as well as H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, had conveyed messages of condolences on the passing of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, as well as the congratulatory messages on the occasion of the Ascension to the Throne of H.M. King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun of Thailand.             

Both Ministers had a fruitful bilateral meeting, in which both sides informed the updated progress of cooperation, as agreed upon during the JC meeting, and further discussed new cooperation initiatives, as well as exchanged views on global and regional situations, such as;

On Security Cooperation, both sides acknowledged their readiness to put the Agreement on Security Cooperation between the Thailand and the UAE, signed in 2015, into force. The Thai side extended an invitation to the UAE to visit Thailand for a field study of Thailand’s work in combating human trafficking and to sign the MOU on Cooperation in Combating Trafficking in Persons. Thailand also reaffirmed its interest in promoting cooperation to combat narcotic drug trafficking with the UAE, particularly in the field of drugs interception at international airports.          

On Food and Energy Security Cooperation, both sides have updated each other on the appointment of the coordinators for food security and followed up the establishment of the sub-committee for energy cooperation, which will be the focal points for the consultation and cooperation on food and energy security between the two countries.

On Economic Cooperation, Thailand expressed its intention to participate in the EXPO2020 in Dubai, under the theme “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.” Both sides also discussed ways and means to expand opportunity in trade especially halal and non halal food as well as other value added products. Furthermore, both sides welcomed the going into effect of the Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments between Thailand and the UAE on 16 December this year. 

In this regard, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand informed the UAE side of the investment opportunity in Thailand, particularly the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) which would develop and integrate transport infrastructure network in the eastern part of Thailand to attract investors in Thailand’s innovative industries. The EEC would become one of ASEAN’s hubs for transportation which will link with seaports in Thailand’s neighboring countries and the Far-east.

Furthermore, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE reiterated the importance of cooperation between the two countries in the area of tourism that could boost their relations.

On regional and multilateral cooperation, both sides discussed the cooperation between ASEAN and GCC, and the development of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD), where Thailand expressed strong faith in the UAE’s Chairmanship. The two Ministers also exchanged views on the current situations in the regional and global issues.   

This visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand reflects Thailand’s commitment to further strengthen and expand Thailand – UAE cooperation in all dimensions for the mutual benefits of both countries.