H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, attended the Special ASEAN – U.S. Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 4 May 2017 in Washington D.C., United States of America. 

 

The meeting took place as this year marks the auspicious occasion of the 40th anniversary of ASEAN – U.S. dialogue relations as well as the 50th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN. The meeting discussed ways to further enhance the longstanding relationship in various areas including business, trade, investment, and academics.

 

The meeting discussed key regional and international issues with particular importance placed on the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea. The meeting urged all sides to exercise self-restraint and refrain from actions that will-escalate tensions and to comply with their obligations arising from all relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions in the interest of maintaining international peace and security. The United States was also informed of recent developments in the South China Sea as well as the progress made on the Framework on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea between ASEAN and China which is scheduled to be completed by the middle of this year.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with prominent businessmen from the leading private sectors of the U.S. at a reception hosted by the Center for Strtegic and International Studies (CSIS) and the U.S. – ASEAN Business Council (USABC) on 4 May 2017. Moreover, the ASEAN Ministers will meet with Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, National Security Advisor, on 5 May 2017.

 

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also had a bilateral meeting with Mr. Rex Tillerson, Secretary of State of the United States, where the Foreign Minister stressed the longstanding relations between Thailand and the United States. The Foreign Minister also conveyed Thailand’s readiness to cooperate with the United States in discussing business and trade matters. Both Ministers took the opportunity to follow up on President Donald Trump’s invitation extended to H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, during which an invitation was also extended to President Donald Trump and the Secretary of State of the United States to visit Thailand.

 

In addition, the Minister of Foreign Affairs met with members of the U.S. Congress namely: (1) Mr. Edward Royce, Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs on 3 May 2017, (2) Mr. Cory Gardner, Chairman, Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy, and (3) Mr. Theodore Yoho, Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.