In response to press reports on the meeting yesterday (16 May 2018) between Prime Minister of Thailand and Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand wishes to state the following facts in connection with the said meeting.

1. On the occasion of his visit to Thailand to attend the annual ESCAP meeting in Bangkok, H.E. Mohammad Bagher Nobakht, Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Iran requested a courtesy call on the Thai Prime Minister. The courtesy call had been scheduled as early as late April.

2. At the brief courtesy call, both sides exchanged views, in broad terms, on the state of bilateral relations between the two countries as well as on the recent developments in connection with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (with regard to the nuclear deal between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council).

3. In the course of the discussion, the Iranian side expressed its interest in forging closer cooperation with Thailand in the areas of economic cooperation, tourism and culture to which the Prime Minister responded that the officials of both sides should discuss further. The Prime Minister took note of the IAEA’s report on the implementation of JCPOA and expressed the hope that all parties concerned would be able to find a peaceful and mutually agreed solution on JCPOA at the earliest opportunity.