During 9 – 10 August 2017, H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, paid an official visit to the Kingdom of Thailand as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand. 

          On 10 August 2017, H.E. Mr. Lavrov had a bilateral meeting with H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, followed by a joint press conference by both ministers and a viewing of an exhibition on the history of Thai – Russian relations on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of Thai – Russian diplomatic relations held at the Ministry. H.E. Mr. Lavrov then paid a courtesy call on H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-Cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand at the Government House and later signed the book of condolences in remembrance of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej at the Grand Palace.

          In both the meetings between H.E. Mr. Lavrov and the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, apart from following up on the outcome of the Prime Minister’s official visit to the Russian Federation last May, both sides also had a fruitful discussion on important issues of mutual interests, such as increasing bilateral trade by fivefold by 2020 from USD 2 billion to USD 10 billion,  Russia’s purchase of more Thai agricultural products, enhanced cooperation in energy, science, technology and security, promotion of Russian investment in Thailand’s S-Curve industries in areas of Russian expertise, for example, aerospace, digital and robotics, in support of Thailand 4.0 policy, especially Russian investment in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project. Russia was invited to fully utilise Thailand’s central strategic position in the ASEAN market. The Thai side also asked for Russian support for Thai investments in Russia and for starting the process of negotiating a free-trade agreement between Thailand and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) at the earliest opportunity. Furthermore, both sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues such as the situation in the Asia-Pacific region, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and cooperation within ASEAN. 

          This visit to Thailand of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation was a significant success. It strengthened bilateral relations, which have grown more dynamic these past three years, and was also one of the important events commemorating the 120th anniversary of Thai-Russian diplomatic relations this year. The visit will help pave the way for closer relations and cooperation between the two countries.